Arthur (1981) movie review - Sneak Previews with Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- This is the original review of Arthur by Siskel & Ebert on "Sneak Previews" in 1981. All of the segments pertaining to the movie have been included.
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.
hard relate to all of this. thank you for sharing, brother
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.
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.
Yep as usual Gene was the stick in the mud 🙄
Arthur is one of the funniest films ever made. Siskel is really off the wall on this one.
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.)
Jesse Coffey your warnings are completely justified.
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!
"Arthur" is one of my 10 favorite films of all time. I think this is Gene's biggest miss! How can you not find this hysterical and moving?
Did he find anything funny? Just wonder if he had a lot of shit happen in his life 🤔
a great funny movie, Dudley Moore is hilarious, and I've never seen Liza this funny. Her comic timing was a perfect match.
I definitely agree. Moore had been perfecting that drunken character for some time. But oh, John Gielgud stole the show.
@@defchan1970 Yeah Sir John was awesome in it 👍🏻
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.
He loved plenty of them as well
I'm sure if either one of them actually watched this movie:)
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!
Yeah another pointless remake that bombed Russell Brand a horrid cut price rip off Dudley Moore substitute im sure he was turning in his grave 😡
Dudley Moore was brilliant.
John Gielgud steals the movie.
Seen it in the Theater back in 81, rewatching still today. My go to movie when I need a laugh.
"Saw" it...
Such a fantastic movie! How could Siskel not like it? Hard to believe.
Old stick in the mud what do you expect 🙄
arthur was one of the best movies of 1981
This movie if full of great one liners.
How can one not like this movie.
Get on a Ouija board and ask Gene Siskel
Siskel was all wet, Dudley and Liza had great chemistry. One of my all time favorites. Still waiting for a proper widescreen DVD release.
Moore was a riot, but Gielgud was the star of this movie. His deadpan zingers were hilarious.
I need to see this movie again.
"I'll alert the media."
Imagine if Bette Midler played Linda
That would have been inspired
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
@@kd17Burger Name a better pure comedic performance than Dudley Moores in Arthur.
@@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
@@kd17Burger Sorry they don't come close. To each his own I guess.
@@Ron898 To Each HIs Own
Absolute classic. 1st movie that made me cry when the butler died.
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 👍🏻💪🏻
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.
He did it a bit in Ten also i thought he was great in that of course the famous scene with Bo Derek stood out but the guy could really act!
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.
You're on the wrong side of history, Gene
That getup Liza's wearing in the clip is so garish it's scary.
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?
Yes, this occurred to me, too. Ebert's own alcoholism may have allowed him to see the humor in Arthur's situation.
He DID play one of Santa's helpers.
Yeah nearly forgot about him in Santa Clause The Movie he and John Lithgow stole that film imho
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.
Who else heard of Arthur because of The Critic ?
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.
But didn't need or warrant a remake anyway especially one that sucked 🤨🙄
@@mrbee4life182 Ebert gave the remake thumbs up (3 stars).
@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 🙄
I haven’t seen this since I was 8 or 9. One of hundreds of movies I need to revisit.
One of my all time favorite
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.
He had issues with Roger - a recovering alcoholic. So you're pretty much correct.
I agree with Ebert about half the time. I agree with Siskel none of the time.
I never met anyone that didn’t like Arthur
i very much liked arthur
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.
I bet Dudley was spinning in his grave seeing Brand play his character don't blame him
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’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.
"He's taking the knife outta the cheese...do you think he wants some cheese?
Dudley Moore peaks his career in this hilarious movie
Or in "10".
@@jeshkam Yeah he was awesome in that as was actually Julie Andrews don't forget and Bo Derek was great to look at 🍑🔥❤️😋🥰😘
Gene is Mr. Johnson
Omg siskel didnt like this movie?!
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 loved Arthur one of my favorite comedies but I wasn`t crazy about Liza M. ...
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.
Well done for pointing that out 🙄🤣🤣
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 have to agree with Gene here. I saw this 1981 film and it did not make me laugh. Wayne from Sydney, Australia.
Wayne Holmes no offense Wayne, but you have peculiar standard for good comedy.
Nothing to brag about.
Buy a sense of humor, dimwit.
pretorious700 hey asshole. YOU’RE NOT WAYNE HOLMES!!!!!! YOU HAVE NO STAKE IN THIS CONVERSATION, FUCKWAD!!!!!!!!!
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.
I don't like this movie for that very reason... alcoholism is not funny there's nothing to laugh at here
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 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
Guy? 😂🤣 Did she have something done none of us knew about? Seriously 🤣🤣🤣🤣
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!
Wow. Gene? One of the funniest films of the decade. Liza was fine, she was studying to be an actor. We all know, they are fucked in the head.
"Och, you're a hedge!" Gene is wrong again...
“You must have hated this moose”.
Such a stupid line...but how Moore says it, is hysterical...just like
"Don't you hate Perry's wife ?"
Looks like one of Santa's helpers? Well yeah, about that...
2:52
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 ?
You didn’t think Dudley Moore was funny Gene???
Gut busting funny
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.
I haven't seen this movie in 40 years and Dudley's performance still irritates the crap out of me...what a stupid movie.
So why are you commenting on a movie that irritated you so much...just to say so, why did you seek this clip out ?
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
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
Gene…🙄
Overrated film.
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.
he himself was a recovering alcoholic
You are attacking him personally because you disagree with this review
How am I attacking him personally? You need to understand what "attacking a person personally" means before you use that term. @@kd17Burger