Arthur (2011)

My Review

“Arthur” is the story of a wealthy alcoholic philanderer who, after a run in with law enforcement, is forced into an engagement by his mother, or he will loose his inheritance. This is basically the same plot as the original 1981 film, and director Jason Winer makes a good try at the remake, with fairly good production values, decent performances, etc., but fails partly due to a mediocre effort by Russell Brand in the title role. Perhaps he was miscast. There is also the factor that drunks are just not as “popular” as they used to be.

The supporting cast did well enough, including Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, Luis Guzman, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Garner, Geraldine James, Evander Holyfield, Murphy Guyer, John Hodgman, Nigel Barker, Scott Adsit, and Jennie Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Richard Nixon and great-granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower.

“Arthur” was a disappointment at the box office for MBST Entertainment, BenderSpink Productions, Langley Park Production, and Warner Bros. Pictures. It was nominated for two Golden Raspberry Awards: Worst Actor for Russell Brand and Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-Off, or Sequel.