Arthur, o Milionário Sedutor

The late Dudley Moore had the most famous role of his too-short career in 1981's ARTHUR, a raucously funny and alternately touching tale that generates warm smiles, big belly-laughs, and an occasional tear if you're in the right mood. Moore received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his performance as Arthur Bach, a drunken playboy who "races cars, plays tennis, fondles women, but he has weekends off and he's his own boss." Arthur is destined to inherit 750 million dollars when he marries a snooty society girl named Susan Johnston (Jill Eikenberry)who is the spoiled daughter of an undercover gangster. Things get sticky when Arthur meets Linda Morolla (Liza Minnelli) a waitress/struggling actress from Queens who steals neckties for her father's birthday. Moore lights up the screen in one of the single funniest performances of the last 50 years. The late Sir John Gielgud won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his flawless turn as Arthur's acid-tongued butler and best friend, Hobson, whose outward disdain for Arthur's behavior covers more paternal feelings. There are other funny contributions by Barney Martin as Linda's father. Stephen Elliott as Susan's father, and Geraldine Fitzgerald as Arthur's demented grandmother. The film was directed with a keen eye for comedy by a first time director named Steve Gordon, who, sadly, died the following the year. There was also a forgettable sequel several years later, but this instant classic is not to be missed.

If you look back on the romantic comedy genre you can see that it's really gone downhill these days. Rom-coms of the 21st century have no heart, no soul, and certainly no brain. Arthur is a film that represents a more illustrious and heartfelt age of romantic comedies. Dudley Moore plays Arthur, a charming, funny, and lovable millionaire who also happens to be a compulsive drunk. He spends his days taking hot baths in a bathtub big enough for an elephant as well as driving around town living an exciting and carefree life. But his drunken antics are pulled to a halt when his father tells him that unless he marries the girl his family has arranged for him to wed his unlimited funds will be cut off. But that very same day Arthur meets the girl of his dreams and must make a life changing choice.

Arthur is a film with a lot of heart. Its storyline is sincere and its characters are believable. You'll instantly fall in love with the wild and exuberant Arthur, but more so his sarcastic and witty servant Hobson, played by John Gielgud in a magnificent Oscar winning performance. Liza Minnelli plays Linda, Arthur's love interest and she does just as excellent job and delivers a heartwarmingly funny performance with the rest of the cast.

Arthur also reminds us of a time when comedies didn't have to be so crude to be funny. Laughs are always about shock value these days, but Arthur manages to be clever and it's comedy comes from an intelligent script and great actors. Arthur isn't hilarious but it's sufficiently entertaining and is good for plenty of sincere laughs. Obviously the film as a whole is no masterpiece, but as far as romantic comedies go it's better than anything we might see today. It's a little sappy, very predictable, and it's characters are pretty easy to dissect on the base level. But Arthur isn't striving to be much. It's aim is to make us laugh and give us a heartwarming story. It does both of these things, so I would say it is a very successful film.

This 1981 comedy still sparkles thanks to the combined efforts of writer/director Steve Gordon and stars Dudley Moore and John Gielgud. Sadly, Gordon, only in his early forties, died soon after completing this, his only feature film. It's an especially unfortunate loss since he shows a truly deft hand at character-driven farce that makes the whole film irresistible. It plays almost like a 1930's-style screwball comedy revamped for contemporary tastes. The plot centers on Arthur Bach, a drunken, diminutive millionaire playboy who is at risk of losing his $750 million inheritance if he doesn't marry the dowdy and boring Susan Johnson, an heiress handpicked by his old-money father and dotty grandmother. Of course, he doesn't love her and by chance, runs into Linda Marolla, a working-class waitress (and of course, aspiring actress) after she pilfers a Bergdorf Goodman tie for her father.

The standard complications ensue but in a most endearing way with loads of alcohol-fueled slapstick executed with classic élan by Moore. That he makes such a spoiled character likable is a credit not only to his comic talents but to Gielgud's feisty, acidic turn as Hobson, Arthur's devoted but reality-grounded valet. It's the type of role he could play in his sleep, but Gielgud makes Hobson such a truly memorable character that his fate in the film brings a welcome injection of poignancy in the proceedings. In probably her most likable film role, Liza Minnelli hands the picture to her male co-stars by toning down her usual razzle-dazzle personality and making Linda quite genuine in motivation.

A pre-"LA Law" Jill Eikenberry plays Susan just at the right passive-aggressive note, while Barney Martin (Jerry's dad on "Seinfeld") steals all his scenes as Linda's slovenly father Ralph. The one fly in the ointment is veteran actress Geraldine Fitzgerald, who overdoes the eccentricities of the grandmother. And I have to admit that I still can't stand the very dated, overplayed Christopher Cross song that inevitably won the Oscar for that year's best song. Unfortunately, the 1997 DVD, certainly in need of remastering, has no extras worth noting except some photos and production notes.

Arthur is a very good made romantic comedy that has a nice and sweet story and happy ending,moore is a very charming guy in this film and cause of that this film was a fun watch,liza was also very nice to listen and watch and she also give some nice laughs in it,but as much two leads were funny and enjoyable i didnt felt the same thing from rest of cast expecely guy who played his batler,he was to cliched made and sometimes annoying with his attitude,the same goes for bride and her father and story about him killing people didnt felt like it belongs in films like this,arthur is a nice comedy that will probably found its fans and give them some nice moments and some nice laughs

Directed by the Late Steve Gordon, 'Arthur' is a Funny and Charming Romantic-Comedy, that turns out to be a memorable watch. Even the performances here are super!

Dudley Moore stars as 'Arthur', A drunken millionaire playboy from New York City who is on the brink of an arranged marriage to a wealthy heiress, but ends up falling for a common working-class girl from Queens, played by Liza Minnelli.

Steve Gordon's Writing is solid, at most places and offers some really entertaining & interesting moments. But, the pacing is a bit slow. Especially, in the first hour. Gordon's direction is as good as his writing. Cinematography & Editing are fine. Music by Burt Bacharach, is lovely.

Performance-Wise: Late Dudley Moore has a blast playing 'Arthur'. Liza Minnell is convincing. The Late Great, John Gielgud, is amazing, in an Oscar-Winning performance. He is the real scene stealer here! Jill Eikenberry is efficient. Others lend good support.

On the whole, If your looking for some Neat and Clean Humor, pinched with some Romance, then 'Arthur' is meant for you.