The 1981 comedy “Arthur” starring Dudley Moore has been shamefully reworked with Russell Brand as the high society, filthy rich, playboy drunkard. In the original movie, Moore’s Arthur Bach was an entertaining, likable charmer. Brand’s interpretation makes one want a stiff drink. The basic storyline remains: Arthur’s fed-up mum (Geraldine James) arranges a loveless marriage between her prodigal son to executive businesswoman Susan Johnson (Jennifer Garner), or she’ll disinherit him; while his true love is Naomi Quinn (Greta Gerwig), a Grand Central station tour guide. In the original, the esteemed Sir John Gielgud played cultured manservant Hobson; this character is now a tough nanny played by Dame Helen Mirren.
Jason Winer’s directionless effort is a cinematic fiasco. Whereas Dudley Moore sailed through it like a breeze, Russell Brand fails to carry off being an inebriated hedonist who frolics with wine and women. Oscar winner Helen Mirren is reduced to tossing off corny one-liners and whacking a character around. Lost in the scenario is Nick Nolte’s cameo as a nonentity playing Susan’s blowhard father. The current “Arthur” might have a new look, but, it’s not fresh, it’s stale.
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