I really loved the 80's romantic comedy Arthur for many reasons. Its premise was sweet, the characters were all likable, and Dudley Moore was just brilliant. So, when I heard last year about a remake starring Russell Brand I knew it wouldn't be as good as the original, but with Brand as Arthur I knew it would be enjoyable. And thats just what it is.
The premise remains the same. Arthur(Brand) is a drunken playboy millionaire who is told by his mother that he has to marry Susan(Jennifer Gardener) otherwise she will stop giving him money, which he obviously doesn't want. So, when he meets Naomi(Greta Gerwig), he has to choose between the money or the love.
Arthur has its funny moments. It also has some of the charm that made the first one so wonderful. But the thing that I enjoyed most was that it wasn't word for word, scene for scene like the original. They changed certain things up.
There are certain things that I wish would've remained the same. I wish that Susan could've been more likable. You know she's bad from the start. But in the original she was innocent. She wasn't a total wacko, unlike Gardener's character. I also like the small similarities, and the big ones.
But I did enjoy some of the differences. I like how they went out of their way to make it different. Such as Hobson being a woman(originally played by John Giugland now played by Hellen Mirren), and the fact that the mom is the one threatening Arthur, not his dad.
Though Brand isn't quite Dudley Moore, he still does a good job. He was born to fill in the shoes. I just wish he got drunk more.Moore's drunk moments stole the show. Gerwig is a delightful star, and i'm glad to see her do more. The two have wonderful chemistry.
So, the new Arthur isn't perfect, but its a charming and funny remake that doesn't go down in infamy.I mean, most remakes blow. But Arthur works because its not a total retread. I say see it as soon as possible. Din't believe what you hear. Brand, Mirren, and Gerwig will make your afternoon a good one.
B
The premise remains the same. Arthur(Brand) is a drunken playboy millionaire who is told by his mother that he has to marry Susan(Jennifer Gardener) otherwise she will stop giving him money, which he obviously doesn't want. So, when he meets Naomi(Greta Gerwig), he has to choose between the money or the love.
Arthur has its funny moments. It also has some of the charm that made the first one so wonderful. But the thing that I enjoyed most was that it wasn't word for word, scene for scene like the original. They changed certain things up.
There are certain things that I wish would've remained the same. I wish that Susan could've been more likable. You know she's bad from the start. But in the original she was innocent. She wasn't a total wacko, unlike Gardener's character. I also like the small similarities, and the big ones.
But I did enjoy some of the differences. I like how they went out of their way to make it different. Such as Hobson being a woman(originally played by John Giugland now played by Hellen Mirren), and the fact that the mom is the one threatening Arthur, not his dad.
Though Brand isn't quite Dudley Moore, he still does a good job. He was born to fill in the shoes. I just wish he got drunk more.Moore's drunk moments stole the show. Gerwig is a delightful star, and i'm glad to see her do more. The two have wonderful chemistry.
So, the new Arthur isn't perfect, but its a charming and funny remake that doesn't go down in infamy.I mean, most remakes blow. But Arthur works because its not a total retread. I say see it as soon as possible. Din't believe what you hear. Brand, Mirren, and Gerwig will make your afternoon a good one.
B