****
Basically Dudley Moore doing a drunk act for 97 minutes, but it's an awfully funny act. He plays a super-rich playboy (emphasis on the "boy") whose family has decided to cut him off from his $750 million inheritance unless he marries the woman of their choice. Then he meets a penniless waitress (Liza Minnelli) and falls in love. The excellent supporting cast, especially Minnelli and Geraldine Fitzgerald as Arthur's ruthless grandmother, is topped by John Gielgud, whose sarcastic yet infinitely mature Hobson, Arthur's old English gentleman valet, grounds Arthur and the entire film. Gielgud snagged an Oscar for his performance, as did the theme song, "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can do)," performed by Christopher Cross. Director/writer Gordon died the next year, at 44.
Basically Dudley Moore doing a drunk act for 97 minutes, but it's an awfully funny act. He plays a super-rich playboy (emphasis on the "boy") whose family has decided to cut him off from his $750 million inheritance unless he marries the woman of their choice. Then he meets a penniless waitress (Liza Minnelli) and falls in love. The excellent supporting cast, especially Minnelli and Geraldine Fitzgerald as Arthur's ruthless grandmother, is topped by John Gielgud, whose sarcastic yet infinitely mature Hobson, Arthur's old English gentleman valet, grounds Arthur and the entire film. Gielgud snagged an Oscar for his performance, as did the theme song, "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can do)," performed by Christopher Cross. Director/writer Gordon died the next year, at 44.