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Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, Jennifer Garner, Nick Nolte ... see more see more... , Geraldine James , Luis Guzman , Christina Calph , Murphy Guyer , Jose Ramon Rosario , John Hodgman , Scott Adsit , Evander Holyfield , Peter Van Wagner , Robert Clohessy , Ed Herbstman , Jared Parker , Tom Toner , Richard Bekins , Matt Malloy , Nigel Barker , Tuffy Questell , Sara Chase , Ali Farahnakian , Kimberly Pauley , Brian McElhaney , Charlie Hewson , Peter Brouwer , Saul Stein , Stink Fisher , Debbie Lee Jones , Pascal Yen-Pfister , Dylan Clark Marshall , Steve Rosen , Leslie Hendrix , George Feaster , Ed Jewett , John Carrafa , Jennie Eisenhower , Sean G. Tarjoto , Pamela Holden Stewart , Skai Jackson , Tori Feinstein , Jackson Nicoll , Caden Draper , Jase Draper

In this fresh new look at a classic story, Russell Brand reinvents the role of loveable billionaire Arthur Bach, an irresponsible charmer who has always relied on two things to get by: his limitless f... read more read more...ortune and the good sense of his lifelong nanny and best friend Hobson (Helen Mirren), to keep him out of trouble. 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. The independent Naomi sees Arthur not only for who he is, but for who he could be, and finally gives him a reason to take charge of his own life. All he needs to do is stand up for what he wants. But at what cost? With some unconventional help from Hobson--the one person who always believed he could do anything--Arthur will take the most expensive risk of his life and learn what it means to become a man. -- (C) Warner Bros

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48% liked it

41,751 ratings

Critics

26% liked it

180 critics

DVD Release Date: July 15, 2011

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Stats: 3,438 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,438)


  • February 12, 2012
    Ok. My guilty obsession...Russell Brand. He is just sooo funny to me, and rather charming, in a way. He does a lot of great ad-libbing, as usual. Helen Mirren does a really touching job as his nanny. Good music by Death Cab, great comic timing by all involved, and very sincere pe... read morerformances. Not actually a copy of the original. More of a revamping. I enjoyed this..a lot.
  • January 25, 2012
    There is a given disadvantage to any remake; specifically, if it's been done before, why do it again?

    In the case of Arthur, the remake, you have a well loved tale from 30+ years ago. Perhaps when pitching this film you could argue that a couple of generations have passed s... read moreince then, and we've got this hot actor who is box office gold... and I suppose that works to a degree. But speaking as one not of the demographic, and having seen the first film and enjoyed Dudley Moore's antics, my repeat viewing of the remake comes from an admittedly skewed lens. That being said, though the tale is creaky around the edges, there is enough witty dialog and bon mots to make this a worthwhile viewing - and it's got Helen Mirren, so that alone should hold your interest.

    Russell Brand holds his own as Arthur in my opinion, and Jennifer Garner is sufficiently waspy in her villainous turn as the woman Arthur is condemned to marry. Greta Gerwig, in the Liza Minneli role comes from a different angle - more sweetness than edgy, but her acting here is sincere. The film totally wastes the great comic talent of Luis Guzman, giving him not much to do other than wear a hilarious Robin costume at the film's intro. Speaking of wasting talent - Nick Nolte... what the heck was he doing here, slumming as a threatening buffoon?

    But even though I found the last half of the film a bit draggy - too much plot getting in the way of the fun - there were enough funny bits of dialog coming out of Brand's mouth and enough of Helen Mirren being... Helen Mirren, to give this a marginal passing grade - you could do far worse if you're looking for a bit of light humor.
  • January 21, 2012
    Arthur: We shouldn't get married... we have nothing in common. You love horses. I don't trust them. Their shoes are permanent. Who makes that kind of a commitment to a shoe? 

    "No Work. All Play."

    Really Arthur isn't the terrible remake I thought I was getting myself in for. Rus... read moresell Brand and Helen Mirren are enough to make this a decent effort at remaking a classic comedy. Sure it never touches the greatness of Dudley Moore's Arthur, but it is amusing in its own little way. I actually can say I enjoyed the experience for the most part, but after the first hour it did feel like it was getting a little longwinded. This mostly comes from the fact that the laugh out loud hilarious moments of the original are sized down a bit. There are still moments of hilarity and a great deal of the jokes are met with at least a smirk, but in comparison, it's just not the same.

    If you've seen the first is really important in knowing whether you will be able to enjoy this on a higher level than I did. If you have seen the original, odds are you won't care for this. If you haven't, you still might not like it, but there is a greater chance. I'm surprised in my mild liking of the film and actually a little ashamed. I feel like I'm somehow slaying the originals greatness. But this did manage to be, like I said, mildly fun. Once again... mildly. I'm not saying it's a great movie. Amusing is the best word for it.

    The story is of Arthur... obviously. He's a filthy rich, drunk, who has no intention of ever doing anything other than easy girls he meets and buying stuff he has no need for. His mother gives him an ultimatum; get an arranged marriage or lose your money. So he decides to get married. Then he meets the woman of his dreams and must decide if he loves her enough to give up all of his money. For the most part, the plot is the exact same as the original with one big difference. Helen Mirren plays Hobson as a nanny.

    Worth a look, just don't expect a classic like the original. I'm actually happy I decided to give this a watch despite my own preconceived notions about just how awful it would be. In reality it is a lesser film, but Brand and Mirren do make it a little more than watchable.
  • January 11, 2012
    There is no real reason for this movie to exist, but with Brand's winning star turn, it's likable and its heart is in the right place.
  • October 5, 2011
    Honestly I cannot be the only person in the world getting tired of Brand being paid big bucks to act like himself. If I didn't hold the 80's classic in such high regard this movie would have just irritated me, but as a die hard fan of Moore and the original film, this ramshackle ... read moreremake left an extremely bitter taste in my mouth. Mirren as always was the saving grace of this film but I think even she will look back at 2011's "Arthur" with gritted teeth. Actors like Brand (if an actor is what he is) are best left destroying their own legacy and not that of others.
  • September 25, 2011
    I surprisingly quite enjoyed this movie. Admittedly if you go in with an open mind and not expecting much and of course if your a Russell Brand fan then you'll like this movie!
    Its entertaining and quite amusing in places that with The Brilliant Helen Mirren it is a recipe for ... read morea half decent comedy!
    Its a cute and enjoyable movie that you shouldnt expect much but just enjoy it for its simplisity! The gorgeous jennifer garner also adds to it and makes it entertaining! Worth a watch!
  • September 18, 2011
    'Arthur''s ability to easily entertain it's audience is foiled by Russell Brand's overly-childish character that creates more annoyance than it does pathos. The film is not completely devoid of charm or laughs, but it makes it so hard for it's audience to fall in love with it. Th... read moreis silly remake proves to be it's own saboteur, and it's not pretty. Only Helen Mirren is actually a joy to watch.
  • September 16, 2011
    Bland...boring...uneventful... just a few of the words I can use to describe this completely unfunny remake. It's not offensive, which is why I gave it the score I did, but I would not ever even considering going near it again and will be more cautious of movies with Russel Brand... read more in a leading role.
  • August 27, 2011
    should i be ashamed that i seem to be the only one who finds russell brand cute? lol.
  • August 8, 2011
    three stars

Critic Reviews


David Denby
April 25, 2011
David Denby, New Yorker

A pitiable remake of the sloshed "classic" from 1981. Full Review

David Edelstein
April 11, 2011
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

Russell Brand gives a career-killing performance. Full Review

James Berardinelli
April 10, 2011
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

It's amazing how a lifeless, pointless remake can provoke pangs of nostalgia about a mediocre movie. Such is the case with Arthur. Full Review

Justin Chang
April 8, 2011
Justin Chang, Variety

[An] innocuous, blandly therapeutic remake of a comedy that wasn't exactly edgy to begin with. Full Review

Peter Rainer
April 8, 2011
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

I don't buy the notion that this is all a lavish fantasy to cheer us in troubled times. It's too clueless and condescending for that. Full Review

Tom Long
April 8, 2011
Tom Long, Detroit News

Arthur may not be much of a movie but Russell Brand is one heck of an Arthur. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
April 8, 2011
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

It's a sardonic screenplay filled with juvenile characters, and the whole thing doesn't mesh. Full Review

Rick Groen
April 8, 2011
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Apparently, somebody thought it was time for a remake. Clearly, somebody was dead wrong. Full Review

Richard Roeper
April 8, 2011
Richard Roeper, Richard Roeper.com

It would be impossible to top the original "Arthur" but this modern version is a consistently funny and sweet if not overly inspired remake. Full Review

Dana Stevens
April 8, 2011
Dana Stevens, Slate

If you get caught between the moon and New York City -- or even just between two movies at the multiplex -- the best that you can do is skip this one. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts


    • Arthur: Who makes that kind of commitment to a shoe?
    • Arthur: I think I found something that's attracted to you.
    • Arthur: Mr. Johnson, a very wise man once said, I like your tower but I love your daughter. Can I marry her please?
    • Officer #2: You're drunk again Arthur.
    • Arthur: No... I have remained drunk since our last encounter.
    • Library Boy #2: You sound like Harry Potter.
    • Arthur: What's wrong with that? Harry Potter was a great wizard!
    • Library Girl #1: Are you a girl or a boy?
    • Arthur: Doesn't matter.

Arthur : Watch Free on TV


Arthur Trivia


  • This actor played a pivotal character in Sin City, a cheating husband in Closer and the title role in King Arthur.  Answer »
  • Who played Arthur in the movie King Arthur?  Answer »
  • Clive Owen, Sean Connery, Nigel Terry, and Graham Chapman have all played this royal character. Who is it?  Answer »
  • Which movie starred Clive Owen & Keira Knightly?  Answer »

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