Review of Arthur Newman (2012) by Manny C — 22 Sep 2013

Arthur Newman, starring Oscar winner Colin Firth, is dour, strains credulity and plays like a lame tv movie that even Lifetime wouldn't be caught dead airing. Director Dante Ariola, working from a debut script by Becky Johnston that is reportedly a few decades old, takes Firth and the equally talented Emily Blunt on a typical road movie journey, but one where pretty much nothing happens.

Having faked his death and abandoned his family, Firth, taking the alias Arthur Newman, attempts to start anew. He comes across thief Blunt, also traveling under a false name, and the two set out to Terre Haute, Ind.

where Arthur apparently has an offer to be a resident golf pro at some club. In short, Firth makes an unbelievable sad sack, while Blunt struggles with a poorly written role. This is indie filmmaking that gives indie filmmaking a bad name.

Here's a movie that has no reason for being.