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Jan Wahl Movie Review: 'Arthur'

(KCBS) - KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl reviews a remake of a 1981 comedy starring Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, and Jennifer Garner.

ARTHUR (PG-13)

When playing a rock star with inflated self regard, Russell Brand is usually charismatic and funny. But when asked to play the wit and warmth of Arthur in this remake of the 1981 comedy, Brand gets lost between the moon and New York City. He's a wealthy alcoholic watched over by his scolding nanny, played by Helen Mirren. Toys like the batmobile and props like a magnetized bed show up to keep us from focusing on this infantized man child. We once again get Arthur's struggle between true love and family dictation..but the two women..an embarrassing Jennifer Garner and bland, boring Greta Gerwig, who is usually feisty in movies like Greenberg but is bland and boring here. The movie tries to put in politically correct messages about inflation and recovery..sucking all the fun and whimsy out of the story. No heart, no wit, one hat for a night of desperation DVD.

SEE RIGHT NOW: SOURCE CODE, POTICHE, CEDAR RAPIDS, PHIL OCHS: THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE

DVD/HOME VIDEO: CASINO JACK, TOPSY TURVY, GET LOW, I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS, TANGLED, THE TOURIST

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