Thanks to omy.sg and Shaw, I was able to attend the preview screening of Arthur Newman, which is rated M18 and categorized as Comedy/Drama.
So what is Arthur New all about? I guess the official synopsis pretty much seems it up:
Given the nature and the direction of the movie, I feel that it would be a good read if converted into a novel. However as a movie on its own, it seems to be lacking in the character/story development department and struggles when it attempts to be more profound; everything is just too open-ended with no (hint) of a (any) conclusion nor display character growth (only realization, but even than it was more like starting back at square one).
The premise of the movie sounds intriguing and the actors are convincing as they portray their characters struggle with their inner demons and coming to terms with themselves. I am sure that most of us can relate to (well, daydreaming mostly): wishing to become a totally different person with a new identity with a ‘new’ more exciting life, discarding away the ‘old’ boring one. Nevertheless life, most often than not, is best lived without pretense and delusion. If you really want to become somebody else, you’d better make sure you tie up any loose ends (as much as possible) but either way, be prepared (or not) to face the consequences either way once you embark on such a journey.
So what is Arthur New all about? I guess the official synopsis pretty much seems it up:
Wallace Avery is tired of his life. Divorced, disconnected from his son, dissatisfied with his love life, he decides the time has come for a radical solution. He literally walks away from his life, buys himself a new identity as Arthur Newman, and sets out toward his own private Oz – Terre Haute , Indiana – where he believes he has a chance to work as golf pro. Wallace’s idea of a second chance is to become a second person.
His road trip is derailed by the entrance of Michaela Fitzgerald, whom Arthur discovers passed out poolside at a motel. It takes her all of a couple hours to bust Arthur’s identity scam. It takes Arthur a lot longer to bust hers.
Colin Firth and Emily Blunt co-star in this gently comic love story set in a perfect storm of identity crisis. ARTHUR NEWMAN, from a screenplay written by Becky Johnston, looks at how two people, desperate to remake themselves, fall in love and find a way to accept responsibility for who they really are.
Thoughts
Unlike the big productions, Arthur Newman is more of an offbeat romance indie-type movie. Although it is slow paced, it is well paced and does have its funny (albeit mature – it’s rated M18 for a reason! lol) lighthearted moments (e.g. breaking and entering homes, role playing, trying to find one’s identity etc…). It is not extremely exciting, but it is not boring either; a good watch if you want a change of pace and don’t expect too much.Given the nature and the direction of the movie, I feel that it would be a good read if converted into a novel. However as a movie on its own, it seems to be lacking in the character/story development department and struggles when it attempts to be more profound; everything is just too open-ended with no (hint) of a (any) conclusion nor display character growth (only realization, but even than it was more like starting back at square one).
The premise of the movie sounds intriguing and the actors are convincing as they portray their characters struggle with their inner demons and coming to terms with themselves. I am sure that most of us can relate to (well, daydreaming mostly): wishing to become a totally different person with a new identity with a ‘new’ more exciting life, discarding away the ‘old’ boring one. Nevertheless life, most often than not, is best lived without pretense and delusion. If you really want to become somebody else, you’d better make sure you tie up any loose ends (as much as possible) but either way, be prepared (or not) to face the consequences either way once you embark on such a journey.
Arthur Newman
Official Release Date in Singapore : 11 July 2013Director: Dante Ariola
Cast: Colin Firth (Academy Award® Winner), Emily Blunt (Golden Globe® Winner)
Rating: M18
Runtime: 100 min
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