Arthur

Rating**1/2

Like Dudley Moore,he is English,a comedian,and a singer. But he is also Russell Brand. And why would anyone want to make the Moore 1981 hit “Arthur” with Brand in the lead? The story isn’t the most original piece of work — about a no-good rich boy squandering his wealth on inaninities, who just when he is threatened by his mother into marrying a woman of her choice finds his true love.

The new Arthur makes it even more lamer,never rising above the script,skirting past the more difficult bits,making lesser use of Vanessa Redgrave than the briefs Brand wears,giving little credit to Mirren’s intelligence or Garner’s beauty than one would like,and never making Arthur the character likable or sober enough for us to care. And this for a film whose original made this line famous: “Don’t you wish you were me?”

If Brand still gives it all he can — and in some ways is close to the character of Arthur in real life — he is hobbled by his lady love. Naomi played by Gerwig is the kind of starry-eyed do-gooder who wants to write children’s books and is presumably strong in her values,but never strong enough to question Arthur’s.

Brand shares a better relationship with nanny Hobson,played by Mirren. Playing a role originally enacted by John Gielgud,in her quiet love and silent admonitions of Arthur,she proves again what makes her so great an actor.

shalini.langer@expressindia.com