Arthur is a perpetually drunk, happy go lucky heir to a a fortune of millions who spends his nights carousing and picking up prostitutes with the hope of securing a meaningful relationship. Cared for by his loving and acerbic butler Hobson, Arthur is given an ultimatum to marry a socialite he doesn't love or be cut off from his inheritance. He subsequently meets a flighty shoplifting commoner whom he falls for and now must chose between love and money. Steve Gordon's "Arthur" is a delightful and often uproarious film featuring a magnetic performance from Dudley Moore. John Gielgud is quite astounding as well in an Academy Award winning performance as the butler, in a role that is both surprisingly humorous and extremely well acted. The film was unnecessarily remade in a not altogether unfunny film, and I was a little upset I'd seen that
version first as it copies the original beat for beat. Anyways, Moore's performance is so rapid fire and charming, and Gielgud so great in support, that "Arthur" is a wonderfully delightful excursion.
