Arthur

Gerwig: The American Kate Winslet

(Marie Claire, April 2011)

Downtown darling Greta Gerwig, 27, cements her status as the new It chick in the big-budget remake of Arthur. Here, she rocks the MC questionnaire.

MC: What’s your best feature?

GG: My smile. Not because it’s so beautiful, but because it’s genuine. I have trouble fake smiling.

MC: Best attribute?

GG: My ability to be in the moment — which is also my worst attribute. I have trouble making plans.

MC: What’s your hidden talent?

GG: I’m a really great bridge player. My dad taught all three of his kids.

MC: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

GG: I’m not, nor have I ever been, cool. That idea is out there because I’ve done so many indie films. But I’m much more of a musical-theater kid — I know every word to Starlight Express and Cats. [Read more…]

Us Rating: ***

Russell Brand plays Arthur, a lovable alcoholic heir in NYC best explained by his aging nanny (a tart Helen Mirren): “He’s merely shaped like an adult.” The spoiled billionaire gets a wake-up call when his chilly mother threatens to freeze his trust fund. Her ultimatum: Arthur must marry domineering social climber Susan (a deliciously deceitful Jennifer Garner) to keep the cash.

Arthur accepts the offer — but then immediately falls for a free-spirited tour guide (Greta Gerwig). The hugely talented Brand nails his witty one-liners, such as when he says Susan’s lips make her look “like a sexy clown.” Garner embraces her inner bitch as his comic foil, and Gerwig (Greenberg) has a refreshing honesty that suits her softhearted working girl.

When the plot goes bigger than Brand’s personality, the movie runs off-course (a scene in which Susan’s contractor dad threatens Arthur by shoving his face toward a table saw is just uncomfortable). But largely, this is a laugh-out-loud romp — and the funnyman’s best screen role to date

Need to Meet: Greta Gerwig

Movie Review: Arthur