User Reviews

Steve Gordon passed away far too soon. Liza is competent in this even. They just don't make comedies like this any more, despite the great music. It is clear that the value of filmmaking has decreased when compared to the remake. Gielgud's comment that he will "notify the media" is the funniest one ever. The beginning, when he arrives at the stuffy gathering with his hooker date, is the greatest part. The movie might have been cut by roughly ten minutes, like with most movies.

The film dangerously teeters into trifle territory with an obsession of booze humour, a mentality of money is everything, and a predictable odd meets reasonable love story coupled with a disappointing Liza Minelli performance. Thankfully, "Arthur" manages to reach safe ground by its end as it recognizes the dark side of rich class, shows empathy for its titular character (a difficult performance to make likeable by Dudley Moore), and has touches of wit to string along with (the best lines are delivered by John Gielgud). These qualities are only enough to provide an average film though.

The first and only film to be both written and directed by Steve Gordon, who tragically passed away at the age of 44 a year after the release of this movie, "Arthur" is one of the very few comedies I've seen that I can say I thoroughly enjoyed, yet sparsely laughed during. Granted, I did smile or at least make a mental note of when I thought the movie was being relatively clever in its comedic stylings. Still, though, I'm shocked at how hand-in-hand the comedy remains with the other elements of the movie, namely the character work and overall spirit of the film. The relationship between Dudley Moore's titular protagonist and Sir John Gielgud's Academy Award winning turn as the wise-cracking butler, "Hobson," was more than just hilarious. You get honest-to-God emotion from the more serious aspects of their bond. And, I have to say, for being a comedy of the more romantic persuasion, it's been a minute since I've seen one where I honestly enjoyed seeing the two leads perform together in the same scene. Sweet and impressive.

Is it a crime against this ''comedy classic'' to say that I wasn't amused by it? I found it boring and to be honest Dudley Moore was as annoying as Russell Brand in the role.