Arthur

source: Arthur

Trailer—Arthur

Arthur

Arthur was fun enough. Dudley Moore was ok, but John Gielgud is a delight! I'm not a fan of Liza Minnelli, so it's hard to root for her as Arthur's romantic interest when I see no reason why they should be together. I don't know why this film got Oscar buzz, but it's worth a watch.

Whenever I remember Arthur, a movie released over 40 years ago, Christopher Cross's theme comes to mind. Anyway, Dudley Moore quite hilarious in Arthur and Liza Minelli gave the soft edge needed to round out the movie. The sequel was so and so.

Arthur Bach is decidedly unhappy in his life as a multi-millionaire and is attracted to people 'below him' in social standing - he pays for a hooker in the opening scenes and then is enormously attracted to a shoplifter. He drinks quite a lot too, and sometimes he is driving while drinking, too, which of course is not funny, ever. The movie is great but behind the comedy is some reality, too. John Gielgud wipes the floor with everyone else on screen and created a character for the ages. Talk about deserving an Oscar. Moore and Minnelli have their moments, but its Gielgud as "Hobson" you'll remember the most.

I really wanted to like this movie, and it was OK, but it was not as good as O remember. Plot in A Paragraph: Arthur (Dudley Moore) is a happy drunk with no ambition in life. He is also the heir to a vast fortune which he is told will only be his, if he marries Susan. He does not love Susan, but his family expects she will make something of him. Arthur does as he's told and proposes, but then meets a girl (Liza Minelli) with no money who he could easily fall in love with. Dudley Moore's drunk act had me cringing, and found it annoying, yet his sober Arthur was more watchable. Liza Minelli is a joy (as always) as Linda Marolla, as is Geraldine Fitzgerald as Martha (Arthur's Grandmother) but it is John Geilgud as Hobson that steals the show (and rightfully took home the Oscar) that steals the show. He is brilliant. This movie also features one of my favourite songs of all time 'Arthur's theme' by Christian Cross

While not quite reaching classic status, Arthur is a very charming and funny movie. Arthur himself may be occasionally clichéd, but Dudley Moore plays the role with great comic timing and charm, you don't mind so much. Arthur looks good even after thirty years, with crisp cinematography and charming-looking costumes and production values. When it comes to the music by Burt Bacharach, it is equally impressive, with Arthur's theme especially wonderful. Steve Gordon's direction is very solid, and his screenplay is even better, with John Gielgud's droll one-liners standing out in particular. The story while slow to start with was enough to grip me, and the performances are great. Not just from Moore and Liza Minnelli, but especially from John Gielgud. Overall, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Ok, even if you can't stand Liza- this movie is truly hilarious! The scenes with John Gielgud make up for Liza. One of the true romantic comedy classics from the 20th century. Dudley Moore makes being drunk and irresponsible look cute and amusing and it is damn fun to watch! The one-liners are the best.

As drunken millionaire playboy Arthur Bach, Dudley Moore is perfect as a grown man trapped in childhood. As it turned out, the role fit Moore so perfectly, it trapped him as an actor as well. Many disappointments soon followed (including this film's pale sequel), yet that doesn't diminish the charm or appeal of this picture, which is cleverly written and directed. Some of Moore's drunk scenes are forced, parts of the film are wobbly, but the cast performs with so much relish it's a difficult movie to resist. It has a very big heart and gives Oscar-winner John Gielgud a sly, dryly amusing role as Arthur's valet, Hobson; his relationship with Arthur is delicious and they have a miraculous rapport. Liza Minnelli (as a blue-collar love-interest) is sassy in a low-key and Moore is brash, but deft and lively; he never shook off the shadow of Arthur, but at least we have this document of a career high-point to cherish. *** from ****