Arthur

1981

Arthur

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

88%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 33

77%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 33,506

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Movie Info

The ads for Arthur suggested that this was an obnoxious film about an obnoxious man, an eternally drunken millionaire indulging his every whim. Instead, Arthur (Dudley Moore) is a sweet, somewhat pathetic character whose millions have left him lonely and with no motivation in life. When the film opens, Arthur is on the threshold of an arranged marriage with simpering socialite Susan (Jill Eikenberry), whom he does not love. Everyone expects Arthur to behave himself, but nobody truly cares for his well-being, with the exception of father-figure butler Mr. Hobson (John Gielgud, who won an Oscar for his performance) and blue-collar shoplifter Linda (Liza Minnelli). Arthur would prefer to marry the lowly Linda, but his iron-willed grandmother (Geraldine Fitzgerald) threatens to pull the plug on his huge inheritance if he doesn't honor his position in life and go through with his marriage to Susan. A sequel, Arthur 2: On the Rocks, followed in 1988.
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Romance
  • Directed By:
    Steve Gordon
  • Written By:
    Steve Gordon
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Orion Pictures Corporation

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Cast

Dudley Moore
as Arthur Bach
Liza Minnelli
as Linda Marolla
John Gielgud
as Hobson
Geraldine Fitzgerald
as Martha Bach
Jill Eikenberry
as Susan Johnson
Stephen Elliott
as Burt Johnson
Ted Ross
as Bitterman
Barney Martin
as Ralph Marolla
Thomas Barbour
as Stanford Bach
Anne De Salvo
as Gloria
Marjorie Barnes
as Hooker
Jonathan Coleman
Dillon Evans
as Oak Room Maitre D'
Howard Feuer
Maurice Copeland
as Uncle Peter
Justine Johnston
as Aunt Pearl
Ron Moody
Paul Vincent
as Oak Room Waiter
Jeremy Ritzer
Juliet Taylor
Mary Alan Hokanson
as Secretary
Paul Gleason
as Executive
Phyllis Somerville
as Saleslady
Irving Metzman
as Security Guard
Florence Tarlow
as Mrs. Nesbitt
Lou Jacobi
as Plant Store Owner
Gordon Press
as Prize Man
Marcella Lowry
as Harriet
Jerome Collamore
as Johnson Butler
Mark Fleischmann
as Waiter
Helen Hanft
as Perry's Wife
John Bentley
as Perry
Bob Maroff
as Prize Man
Raymond Serra
as Racetrack Owner
Marcella Lowery
as Harriet
Peter Evans
as Preston
Richard Hamilton
as Bill
George Riddle
as Bartender
Ray Serra
as Racetrack Owner
Lawrence Tierney
as Man in Coffee Shop
Bobo Lewis
as Lady in Coffee Shop
B. Constance Barry
as Wedding Guest
Edgard Mourino
as Stuntman
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Critic Reviews for Arthur

All Critics (33) | Top Critics (7)

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Audience Reviews for Arthur

  • Mar 15, 2017
    It's entertaining in a way that's still surprising. Dudley Moore's performance could easily have been unbearable but he's actually quite charming while providing some inspired physical comedy.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Jul 02, 2012
    A billionaire playboy pursues a thief/waitress despite his family's insistence that he marry within his class. Good for a few yuks, <i>Arthur</i> is a charming film with a lot of good comedic performances, but the best lines come from John Gielgud. Despite being primarily a dramatic actor, Gielgud is fantastic as Hobson, delivering dry, scornfully witty one-liners with astonishing ease. He's an upper-class snob, frequently delving into lower class language, and it's often hilarious. Gielgud shows scene larceny at its finest; Dudley Moore is only noticeably funny when Gielgud isn't stealing the lens. The plot is predictable, and I didn't think the relationship between Arthur and Linda was well-developed. If I were to risk a substantial fortune for a woman, I would like a few more scenes with her, preferably when I was sober. Overall, this is a good way to enjoy 100 minutes of innocuous, enjoyable diversion, especially because of Gielgud.
    Jim H Super Reviewer
  • May 15, 2012
    Eh. It's sort of funny sometimes, but overall it's a mediocre plot with a funny performance from Dudley Moore. This movie is outdated in just about every way. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't very good. If you're looking for a good comedy, you can do a lot better than Arthur.
    Kevin M Super Reviewer
  • Mar 25, 2012
    It's almost as charming as it is funny - and that's really saying something
    Bram S Super Reviewer
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