Arthur DVD
Starring: Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, Jennifer Garner
Director: Jason Winer
Rating: 3/5
Now when I heard that Arthur was going to be remade I did raise an eyebrow - they rose even further when Russell Brand was cast in the central role, originally played by Dudley Moore.
Kind-hearted, fun-loving, and utterly without purpose, Arthur spends every day in the heedless pursuit of amusement.
But when his unpredictable public image threatens the staid reputation of the family foundation, Bach Worldwide, he is given an ultimatum: marry the beautiful but decidedly unlovable Susan Johnson (Jennifer Garner), an ambitious corporate exec who can keep him in line, or say goodbye to his billion-dollar inheritance and the only way of life he knows.
It’s a deal Arthur would be inclined to take - if he hadn’t just fallen for Naomi (Greta Gerwig), a New York City tour guide who shares his idealism and spontaneity.
All he needs to do is stand up for what he wants. But at what cost?
Now whether you can call this a remake I am not so sure it’s more a movie that is very loosely based on the original.
For the flamboyant central character of Arthur you could argue that Brand is perfectly cast - how much of the performance is actually acting of Brand just being himself well that is something else entirely.
But there is something very charming about Brand in this role as Arthur is a sweet natured character that you cannot help but like.
Brand’s central relationship with Helen Mirren is perhaps the best I the entire movie as the Oscar winning actress delivers a great, and very funny performance as Hobson.
The pair banter well together and there is a genuine affection between them that never at any point feels forced or fake.
The script is simple and straight forward and that allows the actors real freedom to have fun with their characters - Brand and Jennifer Garner doing this particularly well.
There are laughs throughout the movie as well as some quite poignant moments between Brand and Mirren - that were a little unexpected.
Sure this movie will never be held in such affection as the original but it is a fun way to spend a couple of hours.
The story is predictable yes but Brand’s central performance more than makes up for that as he director Winer lets the funnyman do what he does best… act the goat!
Arthur is out on DVD & Blu-Ray now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw