Arthur

Big news! Russell Brand can act! He finally isn’t playing a stupid, drug induced character. Well… mostly. Brand shows off his true range of acting in his most recent movie, “Arthur”. He goes from a drunken, billionaire playboy to an affectionate, and responsible gentleman.

In this truly heartwarming tale based on the original story by Steve Gordon in 1981, Arthur, played by Russell Brand, starts out as a reckless alcoholic who squanders his parents’ wealth however and whenever he pleases. Having his chaperone Hobson, played by Helen Mirren, always by his side keeps Arthur somewhat contained and controlled. In order to keep his life the way it is he is forced to marry Susan, a woman that doesn’t love him but instead wants his money and power. Incidentally he meets Naomi, a woman who he actually does enjoy being a part of his life and enjoys hers to the fullest potential. This intrigues Arthur so he then begins to pursue a relationship with Naomi just as a wedding is being planned for him with another woman.

Helen Mirren plays Arthur’s caregiver and acts as his surrogate mother. She is tough, yet loving and firm with him, something he needs. She forms a character that could easily be plain and bland, but does it with so much life and depth that she ceases to be Helen Mirren but instead Hobson. Along with the help of Luis Guzman as Bitterman, the valet and best/only friend of Arthur, the two of them team up with Brand to make their own unbreakable family. This trio had to be believable and passionate to tell this story and the three of them nailed the relationship. Each and every character within “Arthur” has their own unique arc and development that all center around Arthur’s personal development.

Before walking in the movie if you would have asked me if I respected Russell Brand I would have said no. The movies I have seen him in don’t represent something that I would like to emulate or even represent great acting. This movie has definitely changed that. Brand shows a remarkable strength within keeping the mood humorous with witty comments, and yet not being afraid to tackle real dramatic emotions of other scenes. While being serious in some scenes and completely hilarious in others, I was never able to predict what was coming next.

Another great surprise for me was seeing someone I had never seen on screen before. Greta Gerwig plays Arthur’s true love interest, Naomi, and the only person Arthur can really relate to. Naomi is a simple and lovable character that has attributes we can all relate to. She isn’t anywhere near Arthur’s status in society and yet they compliment each other so effortlessly. She isn’t rich or powerful or demanding or perfect. She is someone who struggles believing in herself and that is something that makes her character so real.

The only disappointment was the ending. I won’t give anything away but the way it ended up didn’t fit the lesson of the movie. The whole time Arthur was fighting for love or money. Love or money. He can’t have both, he must choose one or the other. If they would have let him choose one or the other in the end it would have had a greater personal meaning. He ends up pretty much becoming the same person he was at the beginning of the movie, which was a huge letdown.

Final Grade: B+