I saw this in the theater when I was 8 and before I became Arthur - minus the money. Gene was totally off. This is one of the all-time great American comedies.
At the time Arthur came out in the theaters in 1981, I was 12 years old and being raised in an abusive, dysfunctional household. As a result, I turned towards watching LOTS of TV and went to the movies as a way of providing myself with escape and comfort from my misery. Back then I was going to the movies with my then best friend. We were a couple of fanatics about the movies. We talked, read, ate, drank, and slept the movies. And we went to the movies together once a week, every week for a lot of years from the 1970s-1980s. We saw literally hundreds upon hundreds of movies over the years. We tried to see every new movie that came out regardless of plot, genre (he loved horror films, I preferred comedy), critics reviews, who was starring in it, etc. So there was no particular reason we went to see Arthur. It just happened to be a new movie that was just released. As much as I loved the moviegoing experience in itself, as an abused, neglected child, there were a small handful of movies that stood out and managed to hit me in the very right places at the very right time. Arthur was one of those movies. Right from my very first viewing, it quickly became one of my all time favorite movies and remains that to this day. In the years following, whenever Arthur popped up on tv, I'd drop everything to watch it. Today I own the movie on DVD. So, I say to the cast and crew of Arthur, from the bottom of the heart of an abused boy, thank you all so very, very much.
I think the people who make movies sometimes have no idea how powerful an effect they can have on us, even when they weren't trying to make the biggest Oscar winner of the year. I wish I had seen that many movies when I was young. Sometimes I only get around to watching an '80s classic now, and feel bad that I missed out on enjoying it for so many years.
Siskel hated almost every iconic film from the past 50 years. Dudley is fall on the floor hilarious in Arthur. He's basically playing a baked Groucho Marx. One of the best comedies of the 80's.
One of the best comedies to have been made in the early 1980s, I reckon; it is also one of my mom's favorites. (I've been warned about the 2011 remake.)
Yeah it sucks and the fact it has Russell Brand in it as Arthur should be enough warning in itself he is no Dudley Moore only Helen Mirren is any good in it!
This is absolutely in my top 10 of all time. I agree about the remake, I hate it for 2 reasons, it just shouldn't have been remade and Russell brand, just Russell brand, he's just unwatchable
Dudley Moore was at his funniest in this movie, and I thought Liza Minelli was great too. Moore did a great job - contrary to what many may think, it's not easy playing a drunk. You have to balance the line between being goofy and funny, as opposed to just plain stupid. It's a thin line, and I thought Moore pulled it off it like a pro.
I love Arthur, it's one of my favourite romantic comedies of all time and I love the Christopher Cross song which accompanies with the movie it's a shame that Gene didn't like it although i'm glad Roger liked it, he gave the movie 3 1/2 stars. The less said about the Russell Brand remake, the better.
I never saw this movie, but Christopher Cross...... talk about having huge hits during that time. The theme to Arthur and "Ride like the Wind" and "Sailing" were all incredible songs. The Arthur theme and "Sailing" hit #1 on Billboard. "Ride like the Wind" hit #2.
@@citygirl5705 Whenever i hear that it sticks in my head for ages can't shake it such a great song one of the great movie themes that also was a hit in the charts and deserved to be yeah Ride Like The Wind was great too!
Hmm...after decades of not even thinking about this movie I rewatched it with Siskel's critique of Liza Minelli in mind, and I have to disagree. I found her interpretation solid and original, I believed it.
She was a fine actress who didn't make enough films this Arthur 2 and Cabaret are the three main ones i can think of she has her mother's acting gene obviously 👍🏻💪🏻
I just saw this movie for the first time not too long ago, and it was nowhere as bad as Gene(that guy never seemed to like anything that was a classic) said it was. He was also wrong about Liza and Dudley Moore (he was quite hilarious in this movie and he did a fantastic job) it was well worth the recommendation.
I often agree with Siskel more than Ebert but Siskel was way off here!! Dudley played arguably one of or if not the most hilarious drunks in movie history and Liza Minneli was cute and perfect as the New York Italian American working girl. 40 years later and this film holds up as the classic it now is . The fact that they did a remake in 2011 is proof of its iconic status.
@jedijones Respect to Roger Ebert and rest in eternal peace but he was totally wrong with that Russell Brand is no Dudley Moore and is more known for shagging than anything else just shows how bad these two were as film critics 🙄
Moores performance was the best comedy performance in the last 70 years, maybe of all time. I’m beginning to think Gene Siskel didn’t know a damn thing about movies, and great performances in general.
Why...because he didn't agree with you ? I loved Arthur, but I DEFINITELY Disagree with your comment on Dudley Moore, he was wonderful in this film...but THE GREATEST COMIC PERFORMANCE EVER...you must be high I obviously Disagree with Gene Siskel on this one but just because I do doesn't stop me from appreciating his criticism
@@Ron898 Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie Jack Lemmon Some Like it Hot Steve Martin All of Me Danny Kaye The Court Jester Woody Allen Annie Hall Danny Devito Ruthless People And that's just off the top of my head
I find it interesting that Ebert didn't bring up the fact that he was a recovering alcoholic for two years in his review. Maybe he wanted to keep that part of his life private back then?
i love this movie and its sequel dudley moore is Hilarious i disagree with siskel with this movie, i thought liza minelli did extremely well in this movie her comedic timing in this movie was terrific you have to find a good balance involving goofy and outward screwball humor to find this movie amusing and this movie pulls it off i believed these characters cause you can make sense of what was going on in this film
I agree apart from liking the second one it's ok but doesn't hold up to the first one and is pretty much rinse and repeat Dudley putting on the same act they never stop after the first one especially when it was a hit this is a good example of that it's a standalone film imho didn't need a sequel
I liked Arthur think it is a funny movie my mom who took me to see it loved the film. I also enjoy Christopher cross theme song the best you can do. Great song in early 80s. I'm glad roger liked it surprised gene didn't.
This movie still makes me laugh out loud throughout it's running time. Perhaps Gene had issues with alcoholics. That's the only reason I can imagine for someone not finding this movie hilarious.
Dudley Moore as Arthur, is WAY better than Russell Brand, in the 30-year remake of the film, itself. Moore has been winning hearts with his films with both Julie Andrews/Bo Derek and Liza Minnelli.
The moose lines were hilarious! The theme song is really super nostalgic for me. I was really young when this came out, and am not sure if I saw it at all, or maybe on a network TV airing instead of in theaters. I definitely knew about it from a young age because I can't remember a moment in my life when I didn't know this movie existed, LOL.
I’ve always loved the original Arthur and there is a reason it’s on the list of the best American comedies. I remember disliking Arthur 2 and never saw the remake and don’t want to really and I know Dudley Moore never really had a hit after with the small exception of Micki and Maude which was also good but to not like the original Arthur or at least be amused by Moore’s performance to me is just a total misunderstanding of the movie. I know Ebert was an alcoholic for years and had empathy with the character but even if you aren’t an alcoholic I still think you can have empathy for and like the main character. I also was not a big fan of 10 at all, although it did have a good ending message and for Gene to like that and not this makes me wonder what went on in his head in 1981 when he saw this for the first time. Arthur was a far better use of Moore’s talent than 10 imo.
Again Mr Ebert was right and i thought all the actors in the film were great not just Gielgud and i always loved the film used to watch it loads when it was on TV now it's not even shown anymore hated the remake with Russell Brand can't stand the bloke and he is no Dudley Moore just reminds me how much he is badly missed especially him and Peter Cook only good thing about the remake is Helen Mirren! Arthur 2 On The Rocks was good but not as great as the first one at least Roger got it and enjoyed the first one Gene as usual panned it!
This movies is just in really poor taste if you ask me ..booze jokes are cheap humor.. alcoholism is serious illness and I agree with siskel that the relationship was not believable
the movie overall was entertaining, I really loved the butler played by Gielgud, and I always enjoy Liza's kooky, frenetic energy. There are some great one-liners for plenty of laughs, but it was just way too much of a good thing having the Arthur character in drunk mode for the entire movie, it became tiresome, and though he started out amusing, he became annoying and pathetic by the half way point.
I thought Lizza was pretty convincing as a working class guy. I mean she would be a lot less convincing as an upper-class girl with that old vaudeville demeanor and accent, wouldn't you say. I also they thought their relationship was pretty good
I agree with Gene! I really didn't care to see Dudley drunk the entire movie. He was obnoxious and he glamorized alcoholism despite millions of people worldwide who struggle with that disease. Dudley and Liza had no chemistry together and she was too polished for her role. Also, Seeing black actors play domestic servants completely unnerves me
The whole point of the movie was that Arthur was a drunken playboy. This wasn't about him seeking AA. He gets off the wagon when Hobson gets sick, because he never grew up since he was always pampered in life and relapses after his death He was a happy drunk who just wants to make people laugh He finally meets Linda and she also has an effect on him I liked Liza although I do agree that she never fully became her character. Marsha Mason, Bernadette Peters or better yet, Bette Midler would have been a better choice His Manservant, Hobson was White, so I don't understand the outrage Bitterman was his chauffeur You would be fine if the domestic help were Latinos or Asians ?
Nostalgia. Also, sometimes I can't believe the good reviews these guys gave to horrible movies, and bad reviews to what I thought were good ones.@@kd17Burger
Arthur is a card-carrying alcoholic. Yet, he has access to liqueur at restaurants, his future father-in law's house, his grandmother's house, even his father's office. Even when they know he's going to show up drunk, not one person locks up the booze so that Arthur cannot drink and get even more drunk. Waiters willingly give a drunk even more access to liquor. Arthur drives, even while intoxicated. Why the blazes does he have access to a vehicle, let alone have a driver's license? I would think the state of New York would revoke his license . All the money he has doesn't give him the right to operate in this condition.
OK, you are looking at this movie like it's a documentary This isn't Clean and Sober It's a throwback to screwball comedies of the 30's and 40's, and it's played as such You are placing this movie against your moral judgements, apparently, so I can see why you don't like it and why you'd be a stiff at parties
I don’t find too many movies from 30 or 40 years ago that age well. Arthur while now yes it seems a bit corny, but back then it was absolutely hilarious cutting edge comedy. Also heartwarming. John Gielgud as Arthur’s butler was acerbically lethal and funny as hell, but still he loved his pseudo son.
I'm always with Roger, but with this one, I'm with Gene. Granted, I was young when I saw this but I found a guy pretending to be drunk for two hours tiresome. Liza wasn't enough to carry it for me.
Dudley, Sir John, Siskel, Ebert, Ted Ross, Stephen Elliott, Barney Martin.... The two critics and most of the actors in this movie have since passed on.
What would Ebert know about empathy? He could be really mean spirited in his reviews towards good people who did good work. That said, Arthur doesn't hold up as a comedy because of Dudley Moore. Nothing funny about drunks.
