Arthur (2011)

A drunken playboy stands to lose a wealthy inheritance when he falls for a woman his family doesn't like.

Director:

Jason Winer

Writers:

Peter Baynham (screenplay), Steve Gordon (story)

Stars:

Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner

3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Russell Brand	...	Arthur
Helen Mirren	...	Hobson
Greta Gerwig	...	Naomi
Jennifer Garner	...	Susan
Geraldine James	...	Vivienne
Luis Guzmán	...	Bitterman
Nick Nolte	...	Burt Johnson
Christina Jacquelyn Calph	...	Tiffany (as Christina Calph)
Murphy Guyer	...	Officer Kaplan
José Ramón Rosario	...	Employment Clerk
John Hodgman	...	Candy Store Manager
Scott Adsit	...	Gummy Bear Man
Evander Holyfield	...	Boxing Trainer
Peter Van Wagner	...	Naomi's Dad
Robert Clohessy	...	Veteran Cop

Storyline

Arthur (Russell Brand) is 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 (Jennifer Garner), a proper business woman, or else he will lose his inheritance. Just as he's engaged to Susan, he meets Naomi (Greta Gerwig), 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.

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Plot Keywords:

john lennon character | tablesaw | watching tv | character name as title | cartoon on tv | 

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Taglines:

Meet the world's only loveable billionaire.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for alcohol use throughout, sexual content, language and some drug references

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ricky Gervais turned down the lead role. He told the press, "I said 'no' straight-away. Why would I mess with a perfect comedy? They know people don't watch films that have the wrong font - it's got an '80s font".

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Goofs

In their first encounter, Arthur accidentally shoots Burt with a nail gun in his arm and shoulder. Then, when Burt is threatening Arthur with the saw, there is a bloodstain on Burt's shirt, but no hole.

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Quotes

Arthur: Why didn't you tell me before?
Hobson: I didn't want you to feel bad.
Arthur: Why are you telling me now?
Hobson: Because I want you to feel bad.

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Crazy Credits

During the animated storybook sequence played over the end credits, Arthur and Naomi are sitting across from each other and using binoculars. Arthur says (in a cartoon voice bubble) "Look, lesbian you!" and Naomi asks "Are you a boy or a girl?"

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Connections

Referenced in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life: Fall (2016)

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Soundtracks

Cues from Who Scent You?
Written by Milt Franklyn

User Reviews

Take Arthur for 2011 not 1981

The original Arthur, was and is a great film. It was funny, well written and well acted. It garnered 4 Oscar nominations and 2 wins. It won 4 out of 5 Golden Globes. John Gielgud so deserved his award so well that year. Dudley Moore, in the title character, had the same lovable charm that Russel Brand has in this remake. But, there are several things missing which make the 2011 version an OK film, and not a part of cinema awards. First, its 2011 and not 1981. The original version would never be made today. Plain and simple. Arthur was a drunk. A hard drinker, who fell down, slurred words,and yes, even was driving drunk in several scenes. No way would that get approved today, or anyone think it was funny. It was this funny drunk that made Dudley's Arthur so much fun, even though today we would rush for interventions or rehab. Second, the director forgot this is a New York film. It is set in New York, but so much changed from one film to the other that the setting was indifferent here. No more neighborhood bars, dinners, landmark shopping sites, or eateries. There is one really good scene involving Grand Central, but it does not make up for the lack in the rest of the film. Linda becomes Naomi in the new film. She is not a New Yorker. Does not look like one, or act like one. She plays the part well, but its just not the same. Again, this remake could be set anywhere. Can you imagine the original anywhere but NY! Third, as good as Helen Mirrim is, she is not the Hobson that John Gielgud presented. She will not get any awards for this presentation. So, if you do not make any comparisons, you will like the film, but most likely not fall in love with it for 30 years. The film is well acted, written in parts, but it steals one lines too much from the original, that just seemed forced here or are not well placed. Whereas we see Arthur drink, he never really seems drunk. The relationship with Hobson is presented as a mother/son, rather than father/son. It was hard to believe in the relationship as much as the previous film. The chemistry between Arthur and Naomi was believable and flow very well throughout the film. Susan Johnson, played by Jennifer Garner had much more of a role here than the original. It needed to be reverted back. It was just not funny. Lastly, Nick Nolte was just plain horrible and nasty. He could have been written out completely. It made no sense for plot development. So, the new Arthur is as an OK remake, but not as good as it could have been.

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 April 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Arthur

Filming Locations:

Old Westbury Gardens - 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, Long Island, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,222,756, 10 April 2011

Gross USA:

$33,035,397

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$48,147,945

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Morra, Brezner, Steinberg and Tenenbaum Entertainment (MBST), BenderSpink

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1