Arthur (Dudley Moore) is filthy rich, irresponsible in his refusal to grow up, and convinced that being a drunkard is the best way to avoid facing up to himself. His millionaire father (Thomas Barbour) and grandmother (Geraldine Fitzgerlad) have arranged for him to marry a socialite (Jill Eikenberry) whom he finds boring. If the two of them don't get hitched, however, Arthur will lose his $750 million inheritance. Then for the first time in his life, the idler does something on his own — he falls in love with Linda (Liza Minelli), a waitress and aspiring actress.
Steve Gordon directs this zany comedy of manners with great gusto. Dudley Moore (seen last in 10) has perfect timing on his one-liners, and his physical slapstick is a wonder to behold. However, despite Moore's winning buffoonery, Sir John Gielgud steals the movie. He plays Hobson — Arthur's snooty, sarcastic, and endearing valet whose love-hate relationship with his Peter Pan-like employer changes when he is felled by a heart attack. The helpless Hobson gracefully allows Arthur to take care of him. In the process, the heir becomes a mature adult.
Like some of Norman Lear's TV comedies, this film offers an abundance of laughs and a relationship that touches the heart as well as the funny bone.
