Arthur Starring Russell Brand

Arthur, the soon to be released remake of the 1981 Dudley Moore classic, stars Russell Brand as the drunken yet still loveable and childlike Arthur Bach. Staying true to the original Arthur is the sole heir to the Bach fortune – a status which is in jeopardy if he doesn’t go through with the marriage his family has arranged for him. Arthur, despite his playboy ways, just wants to marry someone he loves.

Jennifer Garner stars as Susan Johnson, the woman Arthur is engaged to and must marry in order to keep his 950 billion dollar fortune. While most men would have no objection to any kind of interaction with Jennifer Garner, Arthur is not impressed and not the least bit interested in her. She is also slightly…how shall I put this...She’s an evil bitch. OOOOH! I can say that if I want to! That’s right folks no censorship here!! Anyway, I digress.

Arthur then meets his love interest Naomi Quinn played by Greta Gerwig, who is just adorable! Arthur and she have an instant connection. From there Arthur courts her while trying to figure out what to do about his upcoming nuptials. I must say there are hilarious scenes – completely typical of this type comedy - of Arthur hiding 1 girl while the other is present.

The movie was hilarious and I personally was in stitches throughout. Having last watched the original back in the 80’s when I was still in single digits in age, I had to take a second look recently. I thought this stayed pretty true to the original. Also, watching the original it becomes apparent that Russell Brand is the obvious choice. Arthur’s character is quite similar – to put it nicely- to other roles he has played. I must say I was not disappointed in Brand’s performance at all.

While the film stays true to the original in many ways including many of the original jokes. There are exceptions such as Hobson, originally played by the hilarious Sir Arthur John Gielgud, being played by Helen Mirren. Mirren did a really good job in the role but I have to say Gielgud’s performance was much better. The character of Hobson (Arthur’s longtime nanny/caregiver) is proper but has a smart mouth. Gielgud brought that Hobson trait out much better, but Mirren played the role slightly kinder than Gielgud. She was still a smart ass but more proper and of course feminine.

The movie comes out Friday 4/8 and is a good movie to go see on a date or if you just wanna go laugh with some friends. Arthur would probably have a few drinks before he got there though.