Arthur

PG

1981

1h 37m

Comedy

TRAILER

for Arthur: Trailer 1

List

86%

36 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Michael T

I'll admit I only watched 10 minutes of this movie, but the lead character was so odious and idiotic that I couldn't imagine that they could have turned it into a good movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/25/23

Full Review

Euler N

I wish I had liked this movie... I love the theme song, and the actors are good. Nice to see New York in the background. But the film is too slow paced, actually very few things happen and some scenes are really too sad to be a comedy. SPOILERS: Alcoholism, broken marriage, an irresponsible millionaire loves a thief. There are some funny remarks from Arthur, but not enough to make this movie memorable.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

09/15/23

Full Review

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Steve Gordon

Director

Dudley Moore

Arthur Bach

John Gielgud

Hobson

Liza Minnelli

Linda Marolla

Geraldine Fitzgerald

Martha Bach

Jill Eikenberry

Susan Johnson

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Arthur: Trailer 1

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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
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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