Arthur

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2:07

Arthur

PG

1981

1h 37m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Wealthy New York City playboy Arthur Bach (Dudley Moore) is perpetually drunk and completely rudderless. Dutifully supported by his sharp-tongued and quick-witted butler, Hobson (John Gielgud), Arthur reluctantly prepares to enter into an arranged marriage with heiress Susan Johnson (Jill Eikenberry). When he meets Linda Marolla (Liza Minnelli), a waitress from Queens, he falls head over heels in love, but if he backs out of his engagement with Susan, he may lose his fortune.

Critics Consensus

Dudley Moore brings a boozy charm to Arthur, a coming of age tale for a wayward millionaire that deploys energetic cast chemistry and spiffy humor to jovial effect.

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Gary Arnold

Washington Post

05/01/2018

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.

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Variety Staff

Variety

03/26/2009

Arthur is a sparkling entertainment which attempts, with a large measure of success, to resurrect the amusingly artificial conventions of 1930s screwball romantic comedies.

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

08/22/2008

Moviegoers are hereby alerted to some good fun.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

07/31/2023

1.5/4

This is comedic fantasy at its most deplorable. Never does anyone ask Arthur why he drinks, what he’s running from (if anything), or worry that his enduring alcoholism will have physical penalties in the years to come.

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Scott Sublett

Washington Blade

05/23/2022

All in all, Arthur is great. Steve Gordon writes funny lines like we have not heard from the screen since the thirties.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

03/24/2021

10/10

Unexpectedly, the somewhat messy finale (one of those classic comedy conundrums that seems unthinkably inextricable) manages to be spectacularly fitting.

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Kim P

@RT98672688 Apr 20

Probably one of the most underrated comedies of all time, I laughed out loud at least 12 times before Arthur even meets Linda (an adorable Liza Minelli). I suppose laughing at alcoholism is now considered problematic. But I wasn't laughing at Lee Remick in The Days of Wine and Roses or Nic Cage in Leaving Las Vegas. I think it's okay to laugh at Peter O'Toole in My Favorite Year (even though it's also a little sad) or John Wayne and Yvonne DeCarlo in McLintock. And particularly Dudley Moore in this very amusing movie!

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Nathan Y.

@NathanYatesDouglass Apr 12

This movie is impossible. I have no idea why I like everyone in it. There’s no story. There are no bad guys. I guess it’s just…vibes? Arthur is hilarious in the opening scenes. I cried a lot during this silly movie. It’s touching, funny, and could only have come from 1981.

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Vincent S.

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Jan 5

A glorious, brilliantly funny and emotional screwball comedy with one of the best comedic performances of all time by Dudley Moore. John Gielgud and the rest of the cast give brilliant performances in this they don’t make comedy movies like this anymore, classic!

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James F.

@groovygreen Oct 29

One of the Best NYC movies ever made. She holds this Man-Child Millionaire story in her hand like a wounded bird. John Gielgud got the Oscar but it’s Barney Martin who steal the movie.

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Janet D

@DrJanet Oct 23

Great casting, great acting, great story, and very funny. It has definitely stood the test of time.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 3

Funny in 1 hour and 37 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Steve Gordon

Director

Dudley Moore

Arthur Bach

John Gielgud

Hobson

Liza Minnelli

Linda Marolla

Geraldine Fitzgerald

Martha Bach

Jill Eikenberry

Susan Johnson

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82%

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Arthur: Trailer 1

2:07

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Synopsis

Wealthy New York City playboy Arthur Bach (Dudley Moore) is perpetually drunk and completely rudderless. Dutifully supported by his sharp-tongued and quick-witted butler, Hobson (John Gielgud), Arthur reluctantly prepares to enter into an arranged marriage with heiress Susan Johnson (Jill Eikenberry). When he meets Linda Marolla (Liza Minnelli), a waitress from Queens, he falls head over heels in love, but if he backs out of his engagement with Susan, he may lose his fortune.

Director: Steve Gordon
Producer: Robert Greenhut
Screenwriter: Steve Gordon
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Runtime: 1h 37m