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Arthur

Play trailer 2:07 Poster for Arthur PG 1981 1h 37m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Wealthy New York City playboy Arthur Bach (Dudley Moore) is perpetually drunk and completely rudderless. Dutifully supported by his sharp-tongued and quick-witted butler, Hobson (John Gielgud), Arthur reluctantly prepares to enter into an arranged marriage with heiress Susan Johnson (Jill Eikenberry). When he meets Linda Marolla (Liza Minnelli), a waitress from Queens, he falls head over heels in love, but if he backs out of his engagement with Susan, he may lose his fortune.
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Arthur

Arthur

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Critics Consensus

Dudley Moore brings a boozy charm to Arthur, a coming of age tale for a wayward millionaire that deploys energetic cast chemistry and spiffy humor to jovial effect.

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Critics Reviews

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Gary Arnold Washington Post One of those rare contemporary entertainments that can be used to contradict people who habitually complain, "They don't make 'em like they used to!" This time they have. May 1, 2018 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Arthur is a sparkling entertainment which attempts, with a large measure of success, to resurrect the amusingly artificial conventions of 1930s screwball romantic comedies. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Richard Schickel TIME Magazine Moviegoers are hereby alerted to some good fun. Aug 22, 2008 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review This is comedic fantasy at its most deplorable. Never does anyone ask Arthur why he drinks, what he’s running from (if anything), or worry that his enduring alcoholism will have physical penalties in the years to come. Rated: 1.5/4 Jul 31, 2023 Full Review Scott Sublett Washington Blade All in all, Arthur is great. Steve Gordon writes funny lines like we have not heard from the screen since the thirties. May 23, 2022 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Unexpectedly, the somewhat messy finale (one of those classic comedy conundrums that seems unthinkably inextricable) manages to be spectacularly fitting. Rated: 10/10 Mar 24, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ian F Did not stand the test of time Dudley was a amazing person sadly missed but he took the wrong direction with this role Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/26/24 Full Review alan g Great song lousy movie. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 10/28/24 Full Review He-Rex Hilarious '80's comedy about a drunken ultra rich playboy, who refuses to take on responsibility or adulthood, until life intervenes. Dudley Moore delivers one of the best comedic performances ever. Sir John Gielgud is wonderful as Arthur's acerbic tongued butler/guardian. Memorable musical score and them song. Arthur is an absolute classic! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/24 Full Review Alec B It's entertaining in a way that's still surprising. Dudley Moore's performance could easily have been unbearable but he's actually quite charming while providing some inspired physical comedy. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/03/24 Full Review James R Boozy charm is the perfect description of this movie. It has enough stereotypes to relate to ..and has enough options of characters to put yourself into but anything other the shoes of Dudley Moore or his Butler / father figure Mr.Hobson, would be a waste of your own potential unless you favor yourself a Liza Minnelli.. that's cool. The point here is the main characters are relatable and affable some are ones that we would want to be some are those that we are ashamed of being but all are those that we have been at some point in our lives. The money not withstanding. It is written as if by a an inebriated yet enlightened person. These are the feelings of Truth that we all seek. These are the feelings of love and meaning that we Pine for with Reckless abandon forsaking all that we have been given to find true meaning in this life. If you just put on these gloves and take this old car for a spin and don't get too complicated, don't expect too much and don't accept too little , you will be very satisfied. It's a quality movie about the things we're willing to sacrifice for meaning in life. And by the way it's funny as hell while keeping a charm that you could show to almost anybody. .. if you're lucky ..", once in your life you find her" Cheers!! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/28/23 Full Review Holly G It would have been 1 star if not for the iconic song. A hit song for a forgettable movie, imagine that. I am plain baffled by the reviews exclaiming how hilarious this film is, or what an amazing love story it contains. The Arthur and Linda have zero chemistry, and to boot they are both unlikable characters with very little redeemable qualities, though I must say that Arthur at least is more likable than Linda. Truly the only likable person in this movie (John Gielgud did a phenomenal job) is Arthur's butler, Hobson, and perhaps the chauffeur. There is very little film development or story progression, these two meet, then instantly they're in love and spouting lines that are unrealistic. If they had amazing chemistry, love at first sight type of thing, I could believe it, but everything about these two falls flat. It just seems this movie has dozens of scenes missing, because the scenes we do see seem unnatural and rushed, but no scenes are missing. I'm not the overly critical, snobby type. I can appreciate the charm of a simple movie. It has to be pretty bad for me to leave a poor review, and unfortunately this movie was one of those. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 10/08/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Wealthy New York City playboy Arthur Bach (Dudley Moore) is perpetually drunk and completely rudderless. Dutifully supported by his sharp-tongued and quick-witted butler, Hobson (John Gielgud), Arthur reluctantly prepares to enter into an arranged marriage with heiress Susan Johnson (Jill Eikenberry). When he meets Linda Marolla (Liza Minnelli), a waitress from Queens, he falls head over heels in love, but if he backs out of his engagement with Susan, he may lose his fortune.
Director
Steve Gordon
Producer
Robert Greenhut
Screenwriter
Steve Gordon
Production Co
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 15, 2008
Runtime
1h 37m
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