Thursday 29 March 2012

Arthur (2011)

Rating: 5.9/10

"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?"

This is not one of the films I would normally recommend to any film junkie to sit down and watch, let alone watch it myself, but 'Arthur' left me in a surprise kind of mode, and I mean in a good way. Russell Brand may not be an actor but a comedian but with this one somehow he does seem to making it work. Acting alongside the Dame Helen Mirren, Brand somehow shines and truly seems to be challenging himself with this role.

The story is about Arthur; a rich, alcoholic playboy with no regards to his working life. After another drunken run-in with the law, his aloof mother has had enough and forces him to marry Susan, a proper business woman, or else he will lose his inheritance. Just as he's engaged to Susan, he meets Naomi, a free-spirited girl who Arthur thinks is perfect for him. Any attempts at holding down a job are fruitless, so Arthur has to decide, what is more important: love, or his mother's money. (www.imdb.com)

It is quite a tricky task to unite a Brit comedian with a thespian of Mirren's stature and background, but somehow the two of them seem to have all the chemistry this film and story need. With the quirky sense of humour and the outrageous crude jokes of Brand, the story takes on another level of form when things don't quite turn like a normal cliche comedy does nowadays.

It is not a cup of tea for everyone, I can well assure you this film will be passed on as quickly as it was made in Hollywood. The purpose it serves though is for a fun, entertaining time in for a dull Saturday to fill in the atmosphere with something funny. The direction is mundane and Jennifer Garner's role seems to be suffering, as well as is veteran actor Nick Nolte who seems to be doing this just for the sake of it.

Nonetheless, it serves for a good time. Slapstick jokes are there, too much luxury is there, humungous amounts of wasted money is there, unnecessary nudity is there, Upper East-Side of Manhattan is there, boy-meets-girl-and-falls-in-love-and-will-do-just-about-anything-to-get-her is there, boy-will-screw-things-up-and-see-the-error-of-his-way-when-it's-too-late is there, happy ending with a twist is there.

Generally speaking it won't harm to take a peak at this one. Do not expect any Hangover (2009)/Bridesmaids (2011) moments or even the slightest sympathy from the executive Hollywood producers, but expect a sense of 'what is really meaning full in life' kind of theme lurking in the background.

Hope you enjoy it (or not). Do report part back in case you will!

Arthur (2011)

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