Review of Arthur (2011) by Lorilei M — 04 Apr 2012

The film kinda surprised me because it got so much bad reviews, but after watching it, I actually felt it was a damn good film. The main stars were pretty solid in this movie, particularly Russell Brand, who was an outstanding successor to Dudley Moore for the title role of the movie. He was funny, charismatic, and drunk most of the time.

Helen Mirren also did very well as the Nanny who was more really of a mother to Arthur than the real mother was. The movie was funny, and touching at the same time. Characterization and dialogue was very solid, at least for the two or three main characters.

If there's a negativity I found in the movie, its the recurring theme that money does not buy happiness. That is just not so true, especially in this day and age where people are more realistic, where people would find a billionaire heir whining about how unhappy he is a bit stupid, at the very least.

Also, all that instantaneous display of wealth, excess and waste would've been appropriate in the 80's, but not anymore now, where there is much better awareness of poverty in the world, and how such money could've been used better to help others rather than just being thrown away needlessly.

Nevertheless, a solid, entertaining film not deserving of it's bad reviews. Highly recommended.