Arthur (1981)
83%RT Audience Score: 77%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Arthur is a delightful throwback to the screwball comedies of the 1930s, complete with witty banter, zany situations, and a charmingly drunken protagonist. While some critics may dismiss it as a one-joke comedy, those with a heart of stone will surely be won over by the irresistible charm of Dudley Moore’s performance. The film’s messy finale may seem inextricable, but it ultimately proves to be a spectacularly fitting conclusion to this sparkling entertainment. And let’s not forget that theme song, which will be stuck in your head for days – but trust me, it’s worth the torture. Overall, Arthur is a must-see for anyone who loves classic Hollywood romance and comedy.
If you’re looking for a movie that’ll make you feel like you’re back in the 1930s, then Arthur is the one for you. It’s a classic screwball romantic comedy that’ll have you laughing and swooning at the same time. Sure, some critics might say it’s a bit overrated or hit-and-miss, but who cares? With a heart of gold like Arthur’s, you’ll be rooting for him all the way. Plus, that theme song is so catchy, you’ll be humming it for days. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride with Arthur and his antics.
Production Company(ies)
BenderSpink (DEFUNCT), Langley Park Pictures (DEFUNCT), Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributor
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
1981
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 37m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Aug 30, 2005
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Dudley Moore, John Gielgud, Liza Minnelli, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Jill Eikenberry, Stephen Elliott, directed by Steve Gordon, written by Steve Gordon, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Gary Arnold, Variety Staff, Richard Schickel, Roger Ebert, Scott Sublett, Mike Massie, Cole Smithey, David Nusair, John J Puccio, PG rating, Warner Brothers/Seven Arts, coming of age, millionaire, arranged marriage, love, butler, New York City, playboy, drunk, rudderless, waitress, Queens, fortune
Worldwide gross: $48,147,945
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: $33,035,397
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $40,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $143,113,822
Production budget ranking: 243
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $77,066,793
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
John Gielgud – Hobson
Liza Minnelli – Linda Marolla
Geraldine Fitzgerald – Martha Bach
Jill Eikenberry – Susan Johnson
Stephen Elliott – Burt Johnson
Director(s)
Steve Gordon
Writer(s)
Steve Gordon
Producer(s)
Robert Greenhut
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (35) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (4)
One of those rare contemporary entertainments that can be used to contradict people who habitually complain, “They don’t make ’em like they used to!” This time they have.
May 1, 2018
Gary Arnold
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
Arthur is a sparkling entertainment which attempts, with a large measure of success, to resurrect the amusingly artificial conventions of 1930s screwball romantic comedies.
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Moviegoers are hereby alerted to some good fun.
August 22, 2008
Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
So little care has gone into the characterizations, the structure, and the situations that the film merely feints at significant comedy.
April 1, 2008
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Overrated one-joke comedy.
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Only someone with a heart of stone could fail to love a drunk like Arthur Bach.
October 23, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/4
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
All in all, Arthur is great. Steve Gordon writes funny lines like we have not heard from the screen since the thirties.
May 23, 2022
Scott Sublett
Washington Blade
Unexpectedly, the somewhat messy finale (one of those classic comedy conundrums that seems unthinkably inextricable) manages to be spectacularly fitting.
March 24, 2021 | Rating: 10/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
As a piece of froth about the fantastically rich, Arthur has been compared to the Depression comedies of the Thirties. Well, second time around we are a bit more wised up and have a right to expect something with more edge.
March 29, 2018
Duncan Fallowell
The Spectator
That song will be stuck in your head for days, but “Arthur” is worth the torture.
October 9, 2017 | Rating: B
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
…suffers from a hit-and-miss quality that wreaks havoc on its momentum…
April 9, 2011 | Rating: 2.5/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
Arthur has endeared himself to millions of viewers over the years.
March 25, 2011 | Rating: 6/10
John J. Puccio
Movie Metropolis…
Plot
A wealthy, perpetually drunk playboy named Arthur reluctantly prepares to enter into an arranged marriage with an heiress, but falls in love with a waitress from Queens and risks losing his fortune if he backs out of the engagement in the comedy film “Arthur.”
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels doesn’t say anything goofy or funny or odd about the film Signed in.
Steve-Gordon.jpg
