The movie “Arthur” is a remake of the 1981 version with Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. The premise of the movie was about a rich bachelor (Russell Brand) in New York City, who hasn’t worked a day in his life due to the fact that his father is the wealthiest man in the city. This, in short, caused him to act like an immature adult with a severe drinking problem. While constantly baby-sat by his nanny (Helen Mirren), his father makes the decision for his son to marry the woman of his choice. After Arthur gets engaged to a businesswoman named Susan (Jennifer Garner), he falls madly in love with Naomi (Greta Gerwig), the love interest that Liza Minnelli rocked in the original.

Russell Brand (Get him to the Greek) was chosen to fill the stumbling shoes of Arthur. Brand played an interesting role considering he was much younger than the original 1981 character. For the most part, Arthur is a 30-something year old, who lives to make himself happy, while leaving the discontent of others who cross his path. For example, Arthur is obsessed with cartoons. He pretends he is Batman inside of his own Batman mobile. Since he was raised in a leisure and comfortable lifestyle, Arthur’s nanny, Hobson, attempts to teach Arthur facts about life and growing up.

After his latest stunt in the public eye, his snobbish work-obsessed mother (Geraldine James) decides that the time has come for Arthur to grow up and benefit the family’s business.

In this case, Arthur decides he must marry her brown-nosing employee Susan. If Arthur does not comply with his mother’s request, he could kiss his $950 million goodbye. So like any man, who wouldn’t shack up with a beautiful business woman for a filthy amount of money?

Of course the minute Arthur makes a deal with the devil, he roams around Manhattan and meets a simple girl next door, Naomi. For Arthur, it was love at first sight, whether he was struck by her average Jane appeal or her illegal activity in the tourist industry. Naomi, an aspiring children’s book author, begins to spend time with Arthur giving him a chance to care about someone other than himself.

Arthur continues with a struggle, juggling romances with two women. In my opinion, it does not seem fair to have two beautiful women fighting over a skinny, alcoholic with a personality disorder. The money may be appealing but it’s hard to find any genuineness from Brand’s character that would make anyone think he deserves money or women. As a character, Arthur does not have depth, however, he is filled with witty comebacks for everyday conversations.

Overall, “Arthur” is worth the movie ticket price, comical and witty. However, the movie would have been better if the classic 1981 “Arthur” traits had shown through the remake. In the original, Arthur was drinking to fill a void he never received from his parents. Brand’s character was more of a party boy drunk, who seemed to come off as a moron, rahter than funny.  Indeed, “Arthur” is a decent movie for those who are on a date and want a good laugh.

Grade: C+