Arthur

6:11 PM

If you could inherit $175 million dollars from your family by simply marrying the woman they chose, would you do it? What if that woman was dull? Not only dull, but her father expected you to actually work for a living, and to give up alcohol? What if you met an amazing girl that shared your sense of humor, who could laugh at the seriousness of life, yet still work hard, take care of her father and have the quick bold personality that is so fresh in comparison to your humdrum betrothed? Would you trade in that $175 million?


This is the dilemma that Arthur Bach faces. Arthur is a drunk playboy with quick wit, even when inebriated, who's humor and lifestyle is only understood and tolerated by his personal servant and best friend Hobson. Arthur is the representation of a modern libertine rake, he does not necessarily do anything significant to gain appreciation from the audience. He drinks to get drunk, he insults his family with his lifestyle, he spends money just to spend it, he spends his evenings with prostitutes and has an outlook on life that reads: money is meant to be enjoyed. Upon visiting his father's work place, Arthur turns to Hobson and asks: "Why doesn't anyone ever smile here?" In which Hobson replies "They smile at lunch" because Arthur has no comprehension of what hard work is. Yet, the audience likes him. An acceptance is acknowledged that Arthur is simply meant to be what he is: the ideal dream of having everything in life without having to work for it.  


Hobson balances Arthur's crude humor with his own dry sarcasm. When Arthur announces that he is going to take a bath, Hobson responds with: "I'll alert the media". Hobson is more than just a best friend to Arthur, he looks out for him, even goes out of his way to help him be with the lovely, yet poor Linda.


Linda is a waitress and aspiring actress who first catches Arthur's attention when she unsuccessfully shoplifts a tie for her father. Arthur has already agreed to his family to marry Susan, a fellow offspring of a Billionaire, yet when he sets his eyes on Linda, he cannot bear to marry Susan. Yet, the thought of living a life without the $175 million is even more unfathomable. 


What makes Arthur more appealing then say, Paris Hilton, is his character. Not giving up $175 is understandable because Arthur is meant to live his life making himself and the people he likes happy. Yet, finding that one person that is capable of spending the rest of your life with, because you love them and they love you is understandable in return. Arthur Bach is a man that is ideal for both, but money and love are obstacles for each other in his case.


If you are a fan of Liza Minnelli, or especially of the late Dudley Moore, then I highly recommend this movie! Both performances are amusing to watch, and play along nicely with the ever predictable romantic comedy, that mimics the plays of the restoration period. Definitely a classic, and I am very happy to have made this my first movie review of 2011, taking a small chip into the new resolutions.

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25 Musings

  1. tessJanuary 3, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    I've never heard of this, but it sounds intriguing! Thanks for the well written review

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  2. KellieJanuary 3, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    How have I never heard of this before?! It sounds awesome! I'll put it on my "to rent" list.

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  3. AnnebethJanuary 3, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    he should've just married the one for the money, than gotten a divorce and married his true love while keeping some of the money! hahaha sometimes a person has to be a pragmatic :D

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  4. Leah HuebnerJanuary 3, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    LOVE this movie!

    It's being remade this year! Russell Brand as Arthur!

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  5. BeckyJanuary 3, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    YOU'RE A HOOKER?

    I probably quote something from this movie, on average, once a week. It's amazing and definitely in my top ten.

    I am really mad that they are remaking it. It looks terrible, they've changed a huge number of plot points and Russell Brand does not have the charm Dudley Moore had. The only thing he and Arhur Bach have in common is substance abuse.

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  6. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    I haven't seen this movie in ages. Its a new classic, too me. I love the lines and the humor..oh Liza..so Liza!

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  7. ShybikerJanuary 4, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    Nice review, buddy. You have talent for this.

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  8. BrittanyJanuary 4, 2011 at 2:06 AM

    You're adorable, I love that you want to help others :)I hope your 2011 is amazing so far :) oh and I"m definitely going to check this film out, loved reading this!

    http://ittybittybomb.blogspot.com/

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  9. VictoriaJanuary 4, 2011 at 3:53 AM

    wow you really make me wanna see this movie. how interesting

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  10. Lulu and her whimsical ways!January 4, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    I love Dudley Moore and of course Liza, I just love Liza - Arthur one of his great movies - he was such an adorable tortured little man!!! Such a lovely quirky little blog you have, I like it and I like you! xx

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  11. ellieJanuary 4, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Aw, this was great. Hope you are having a fun week. Loved your review.

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  12. lucy and sarahJanuary 4, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Love your review on this wonderful movie. A great New Years movie..in a sense.

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  13. better daysJanuary 4, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Thanks for reintroducing this film to me!

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  14. ivy's closetJanuary 4, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    I haven't thought of this move in soooo long.

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  15. FrancyJanuary 4, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    I love Liza Minnelli! I will have to check this out. Thanks for the awesome review!

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  16. michelle_January 4, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    this sounds real awesome !
    the storyline is interesting :)
    im googling it up now !

    glisters and blisters

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  17. Cafe FashionistaJanuary 4, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    Haha! I was just talking to my mom about this subject (not the movie) the other day. No, I would never be able to marry for money - despite the fact that it would allow me to buy new shoes everyday!

    I MUST see this movie!! :)

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  18. Fashion CappuccinoJanuary 4, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    Wow! Just the kind of my movie!! I never want to marry for money; the idea repulsed me! I would reather search for love and marry for love! xoxoxxoo

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  19. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    i've never seen this before.. still, it sounds interesting.
    thanks for sharing sara..
    happy new year

    http://wulanasihsetyarini.wordpress.com

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  20. Sea BirdJanuary 5, 2011 at 5:26 AM

    Great review! I haven't seen this movie, but now I want to put it on my nextflix queue.

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  21. WoodsJanuary 5, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    i never heard of this mhmm interesting!

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  22. Anika http://www.byanika.comJanuary 6, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    this is one of my faves! great reveiw honey, love your blog and am following you :) <3 Anika

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  23. Victoria / Justice PirateJanuary 6, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    I think I've seen this once before a long long time ago. INteresting movie.

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  24. StephanieJanuary 8, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    I'm putting this on my Netflix queue. As much as I kinda like Russel Brand, I don't know if there should be an Arthur remake.

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  25. India Ink ElephantJanuary 13, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    I've never actually seen this, but I do enjoy me some Liza Minelli. Have you seen New York, New York? I believe that was the last of her movies I watched...and of course Cabaret is classic.

    Oh! And she cameos on Season 2 of Arrested Development, which if you haven't seen that, is a treat in and of itself.

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Talk nerdy to me.