MOVIE REVIEW: Arthur (2011)
Riches, Reboots, and Russell Brand’s Romp Through Manhattan
In the age-old Hollywood tradition of remaking classics that probably didn’t need a redo, Arthur (2011) stumbles into the party late, drinks too much, and tries to charm everyone with its sloppy charisma. This modern reimagining of the beloved 1981 Dudley Moore comedy gives us Russell Brand in the title role—a perpetually inebriated man-child billionaire who’s being strong-armed into an arranged marriage for the sake of preserving the family fortune.
Brand plays Arthur Bach as if Jack Sparrow inherited Wayne Enterprises. His antics are loud, exaggerated, and unapologetically immature, and depending on your taste, that’s either endearing or exhausting. He’s got the tuxedo, the limo, the talking magnetic bed—but emotional maturity? Not so much.
The plot is a familiar one: Arthur’s cold and commanding mother (Geraldine James) wants him to marry Susan (Jennifer Garner), a ruthless social climber with all the warmth of an iPad user agreement. But Arthur’s heart is stolen by Naomi (Greta Gerwig), a quirky and idealistic tour guide-slash-children’s book writer from Queens. Cue the madcap romance, a few tantrums, and some drunken soul-searching in high-end locations.
If there's one shining gem in this diamond-studded romp, it's Helen Mirren as Hobson, Arthur’s long-suffering nanny (swapping genders from the original’s John Gielgud role). Mirren is dry, droll, and delivers her lines with the kind of grace and bite that makes you wish the whole film was about her instead. She brings the emotional core the movie desperately needs—because Brand’s Arthur, while occasionally charming, often feels like he wandered in from another film, one with more slapstick and fewer stakes.
Director Jason Winer (from Modern Family) tries to wrangle Brand’s manic energy into something coherent, but it’s a tough gig. The pacing wobbles between zany and sentimental, and the comedy leans heavily on Brand’s improvisational style, which doesn’t always land. When it works, it works well—there are a few laugh-out-loud moments—but when it doesn’t, it just feels like watching a rich guy throw money and quips at problems instead of actually growing up.
The original Arthur had heart, nuance, and a genuine melancholy beneath the laughs. This version? It has a Batmobile and product placement. Still, Brand fans might enjoy the ride, and there’s enough charm in the supporting cast to keep the whole thing from completely collapsing like a tower of champagne glasses.
Verdict:
Arthur (2011) is a fizzy, forgettable rom-com with moments of charm, but it never quite justifies its existence beyond letting Russell Brand be Russell Brand in a tuxedo. If you’re a fan of the original, this remake probably won't win you over—but if you're just here for a bit of boozy buffoonery and Helen Mirren being fabulous, you could do worse.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2 out of 5)