Arthur Newman Review

Arthur Newman, written by Becky Johnston (Seven Years in Tibet), is one of those independent films that you will moderately enjoy, but ultimately forget about in a few weeks. Not because the film is fundamentally bad, but because it loses steam (as well as its charm) in the third act. The film’s interesting spin on an overdone concept – middle-aged protagonist with a lackluster life decides to change things up and start anew – is left in the dust and the plot unfortunately reverts back to type. Thankfully, the extremely talented Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) and Colin Firth (The King’s Speech) are there to make the disappointing ending a little easier to handle.

Colin Firth plays Wallace Avery, a straight-laced Fed-Ex floor manager who is depressed about his boring, unfulfilled life. He has a bland relationship with his girlfriend (Anne Heche) and is estranged from his adolescent son. Desperate for change, Avery decides to do what any normal person would do, fake his own death and buy a new identity, Arthur J. Newman.

“Arthur Newman” is not as boring as Wallace Avery; in fact, Arthur is a waspy golf pro who is on his way to a golf course in Terre Haute, Indiana for a new job. Before Arthur/Wallace gets to his destination, however, he meets a free-spirited woman named Mike (Emily Blunt), who has significant baggage of her own. In fact, Mike is also living under an assumed name and running from her dark past. What are the odds?

After Wallace saves Mike’s life from an apparent drug overdose, the two lost souls set out on a road trip to Indiana and along the way develop an intriguing relationship. Things only get weirder (and more interesting) when the couple decides to take identity thievery to a new level. They break into people’s homes when they are gone, dress in their clothes, and assume their imagined personas. Only through these “characters” can Mike and Wallace connect both emotionally and physically.

 


What develops is a quirky love story that is unfortunately derailed by the writer’s change in tone. Johnston abandons much of the interesting identity theft story, and starts to equally focus on Wallace’s abandoned girlfriend and son. I would have appreciated that whole subplot cut, to make room for more character development between Wallace and Mike; by the end of the film, it is hard to discern the characters’ final motivations.  Nevertheless, I could watch Emily Blunt and Colin Firth in a movie together any day. This is certainly a film that requires likeable actors to engage the audience in a weird adventure. If not for their fantastic acting skills, and surprisingly great chemistry, I certainly wouldn’t have enjoyed Arthur Newman as much as I did.

Though I wish Arthur Newman had stayed its quirky course, I did enjoy many aspects of the film. After all, who doesn’t enjoy seeing Queen Victoria and King George VI as co-romantic leads. However, due to the disappointing third act, I certainly wouldn’t suggest you rush out to theaters to see the film. This is definitely a rainy-day rental.

My Grade: B-/C+

Arthur Newman Trailer