Showing posts with label Greta Gerwig. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greta Gerwig. Show all posts
Caught Between the Moon and New York City
Remakes are a tough business. Inevitably you will be compared to the original film, even though you should be judged on your own merit. I try to separate the two and most times, I’m successful. But there is always the exception to any rule.
Arthur (Russell Brand) is a rich playboy that goes through life with not a care in the world. He doesn’t work, is living on the wealth of his mother, has a nanny, is surrounded by beautiful women and oh by the way – is constantly drunk. His latest episode is the last straw, and his mother is about to force him to marry her assistant Susan (Jennifer Garner) to ensure a competent individual with the family name will always run the company. And she gives him the ultimatum – marry Susan or be cut off.
But Arthur happens to meet a girl on his own at the same time Naomi (Greta Gerwig) is the type of girl who could possibly bring things to his life that Susan couldn’t even fathom. Susan is in it for the money, the power and the status. Naomi isn’t even in it yet, but is intrigued by this stranger that saved her from possible arrest.
All the while, Arthur is managed at home by his nanny, Hobson (Helen Mirren) who is there to be the mother that he doesn’t really have. His mother has kept Hobson in his life and she works hard to keep the gold digging women away from Arthur, but she is on board with his upcoming marriage to Susan.
Now will Arthur be able to live his life without the money, or will he take the money and marry Susan to continue his extravagant lifestyle. He’s definitely torn between the two, and which will win out?
I tried, desperately, to keep my feelings about the original movie out of this. But Dudley Moore’s Arthur in the 80s was so likable, while Russell Brand’s just seems out of control. There is very little “fun” in this movie, except for when Greta Gerwig is involved. She infuses life in the film when she is onscreen. Unfortunately, Brand seems too disjointed in his role as Arthur.
Even Helen Mirren and Jennifer Garner couldn’t help this film that just seemed lost in the way it did things. I waited and waited and waited some more to enjoy what was going on in Arthur. Unfortunately, I’m still waiting.
This should have been a decent film, it should have been fun and lighthearted and it just didn’t come across that way. I wanted to like, and write a good review here but instead I find myself just caught between the moon and New York City. I know it’s crazy, but it’s true!
C
Arthur
Warner Brothers Pictures
Director: Jason Winer
Cast: Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner, Greta Gerwig, Luis Guzman, Nick Nolte
Rating: PG-13 for alcohol use throughout, sexual content, language and some drug references.
Runtime: 110 minutes.
READ MORE
Remakes are a tough business. Inevitably you will be compared to the original film, even though you should be judged on your own merit. I try to separate the two and most times, I’m successful. But there is always the exception to any rule.
Arthur (Russell Brand) is a rich playboy that goes through life with not a care in the world. He doesn’t work, is living on the wealth of his mother, has a nanny, is surrounded by beautiful women and oh by the way – is constantly drunk. His latest episode is the last straw, and his mother is about to force him to marry her assistant Susan (Jennifer Garner) to ensure a competent individual with the family name will always run the company. And she gives him the ultimatum – marry Susan or be cut off.
But Arthur happens to meet a girl on his own at the same time Naomi (Greta Gerwig) is the type of girl who could possibly bring things to his life that Susan couldn’t even fathom. Susan is in it for the money, the power and the status. Naomi isn’t even in it yet, but is intrigued by this stranger that saved her from possible arrest.
All the while, Arthur is managed at home by his nanny, Hobson (Helen Mirren) who is there to be the mother that he doesn’t really have. His mother has kept Hobson in his life and she works hard to keep the gold digging women away from Arthur, but she is on board with his upcoming marriage to Susan.
Now will Arthur be able to live his life without the money, or will he take the money and marry Susan to continue his extravagant lifestyle. He’s definitely torn between the two, and which will win out?
I tried, desperately, to keep my feelings about the original movie out of this. But Dudley Moore’s Arthur in the 80s was so likable, while Russell Brand’s just seems out of control. There is very little “fun” in this movie, except for when Greta Gerwig is involved. She infuses life in the film when she is onscreen. Unfortunately, Brand seems too disjointed in his role as Arthur.
Even Helen Mirren and Jennifer Garner couldn’t help this film that just seemed lost in the way it did things. I waited and waited and waited some more to enjoy what was going on in Arthur. Unfortunately, I’m still waiting.
This should have been a decent film, it should have been fun and lighthearted and it just didn’t come across that way. I wanted to like, and write a good review here but instead I find myself just caught between the moon and New York City. I know it’s crazy, but it’s true!
C
Arthur
Warner Brothers Pictures
Director: Jason Winer
Cast: Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner, Greta Gerwig, Luis Guzman, Nick Nolte
Rating: PG-13 for alcohol use throughout, sexual content, language and some drug references.
Runtime: 110 minutes.
No PG-13 Strings Makes For A Funny Adult Comedy
A relationship with no strings attached; it’s been thought of as a guy’s dream. Where a guy can do what he wants, when he wants. But what happens when it’s the girl that craves having no strings in a relationship?
Adam (Ashton Kutcher) has had a crush on Emma (Natalie Portman) since they were kids. From an initial inappropriate advance at summer camp to a meeting years later, he has always had a thing for this wonderfully beautiful woman. When he finally meets her as an adult, the relationship skips the courting and gets physical.
This aggressive approach leads to Emma suggesting a “no strings” approach to their future. With basic rules in place, including a “ban” on falling for each other, things remain physical and both the doctor to be and television producer are “on call” when needed. Will either of them break down, or will this simple, passionate “relationship” progress?
From the first trailer, I dreaded seeing this film. In fact, I thought there was no way it was offered to me to screen. It was, and when word started to trickle in that it might actually be ok, I wondered aloud what I was in for. The results turned out to be extremely positive.
Director Ivan Reitman delivers a solid “adult” comedy and the fact that it is an adult comedy is what makes it work. The trailer felt like it would be another watered down PG-13 romantic comedy, instead the aggressive, adult nature of things mean the language isn’t at half speed and the physicality leaves only little to be imagined.
Natalie Portman knows how to work through the comedy genre just like it was home. Working with Ashton Kutcher seems almost natural for her, and the back and forth is quick, witty and fun. The supporting cast surrounding these two includes a variety of actors that I have a real appreciation for including the enchanting Greta Gerwig, the eminently lovable Lake Bell, and the always strong Kevin Kline.
With great acting talent, a solid script, and comedic directing for the veteran Ivan Reitman, No Strings Attached really works. Despite a portion of the movie that tries to get too serious, I found myself laughing (and sometimes cringing) at this film. Overall the strings were relatively minor and I got a bit attached.
B-
No Strings Attached
Paramount Pictures
Director: Ivan Reitman
Cast: Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Kline, Greta Gerwig, Lake Bell
Rating: R for sexual content, language and some drug material.
Runtime: 110 minutes.
READ MORE
A relationship with no strings attached; it’s been thought of as a guy’s dream. Where a guy can do what he wants, when he wants. But what happens when it’s the girl that craves having no strings in a relationship?
Adam (Ashton Kutcher) has had a crush on Emma (Natalie Portman) since they were kids. From an initial inappropriate advance at summer camp to a meeting years later, he has always had a thing for this wonderfully beautiful woman. When he finally meets her as an adult, the relationship skips the courting and gets physical.
This aggressive approach leads to Emma suggesting a “no strings” approach to their future. With basic rules in place, including a “ban” on falling for each other, things remain physical and both the doctor to be and television producer are “on call” when needed. Will either of them break down, or will this simple, passionate “relationship” progress?
From the first trailer, I dreaded seeing this film. In fact, I thought there was no way it was offered to me to screen. It was, and when word started to trickle in that it might actually be ok, I wondered aloud what I was in for. The results turned out to be extremely positive.
Director Ivan Reitman delivers a solid “adult” comedy and the fact that it is an adult comedy is what makes it work. The trailer felt like it would be another watered down PG-13 romantic comedy, instead the aggressive, adult nature of things mean the language isn’t at half speed and the physicality leaves only little to be imagined.
Natalie Portman knows how to work through the comedy genre just like it was home. Working with Ashton Kutcher seems almost natural for her, and the back and forth is quick, witty and fun. The supporting cast surrounding these two includes a variety of actors that I have a real appreciation for including the enchanting Greta Gerwig, the eminently lovable Lake Bell, and the always strong Kevin Kline.
With great acting talent, a solid script, and comedic directing for the veteran Ivan Reitman, No Strings Attached really works. Despite a portion of the movie that tries to get too serious, I found myself laughing (and sometimes cringing) at this film. Overall the strings were relatively minor and I got a bit attached.
B-
No Strings Attached
Paramount Pictures
Director: Ivan Reitman
Cast: Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Kline, Greta Gerwig, Lake Bell
Rating: R for sexual content, language and some drug material.
Runtime: 110 minutes.