'Arthur' no comparison to the original

Director: Jason Winer

Cast: Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, Jennifer Garner, Nick Nolte

Why, we must wonder, has Hollywood taken so strongly to the charmless Brand, and whoever thought we needed a remake of the classic Dudley Moore comedy, with Brand inadequately trying to entertain us?

Moore brought a sympathy to the role of the perpetually boozed rich boy who risks losing the family fortune if he persists in marrying a girl the family doesn’t like … Brand merely delivers a constant annoyance of self-satisfaction and a misguided belief that he is funny.

That Brand and the girl (Naomi: Gerwig) show no chemistry throughout doesn’t help this dismal film, brought to us 30 years after the excellent original, and though Mirren does her best to elevate it above the dross level as Hobson, Arthur’s female butler, it is largely beyond saving.

Rent the original, and compare the class of Moore with the unfunny Brand.

Star Rating: 1/5