Russell Brand in Arthur
Follow Russell Brand as he reinvents Dudley Moore’s original role of Arthur Bach, an irresponsible, wealthy charmer who has always relied on two things to get by - his limitless fortune and the good sense of his lifelong nanny and best friend Hobson (Mirren), to keep him out of trouble.
Kind-hearted and utterly without purpose, Arthur spends every day in the heedless pursuit of amusement, but when his unpredictable public image threatens the staid reputation of the family foundation, Bach Worldwide, he is given an ultimatum: Marry the beautiful, but decidedly unlovable Susan Johnson (Garner) or say goodbye to his billion-dollar inheritance and the only way of life he knows.
In light of Arthur being the world’s most lovable billionaire (and Casanova!), we look at other great Casanovas from movie history:
Casanova (2005)
Heath Ledger played the legendary Italian Casanova in 2005; notorious for his womanizing in Venice during the 18th century.
His promiscuous ways lead to his arrest and death sentence but he escapes and runs away with Francesca, the girl he has fallen in love with.
Although his story ended with love, the name Casanova has preceded him and is used to describe a whole genre of men who are gifted with the art of seduction.
Burn After Reading (2008)
Clooney is certainly not short of film roles where he plays the love interest to the main female. In Burn After Reading however, he took on the character of Harry Pfarrer, a womanizing, sex addict who in his spare time makes sex toys for his wife and online dates.
He is married, having an affair with Tilda Swinton’s character and dating Frances McDermond’s character. His womanizing ways start to get a little complicated for Harry, especially after a run-in with Brad Pitt in a closet..
Alfie (1966)
During the 60’s and a time of 'free love', we met Alfie (Michael Caine), a taxi driver having several affairs with different women, one who is married and one whom ends up getting pregnant with his son.
We follow Alfie on an emotional journey as he encounters different women before deciding on the one he wants to settle down with. This film may not have a happy ending for the loveable lothario but he is still one of cinema’s favourite Casanovas.
Don Juan Demarco (1994)
Johnny Depp plays John Arnold DeMarco, a man who believes that he is Don Juan, the greatest lover in the world (1502 girls apparently!).
Whilst under the care of psychiatrist Marlon Brando, his fantasies and stories inspire members of the psychiatric ward and start to install a bit of magic back into their lives.
As one of the most beautiful men in cinema history, Depp is more than convincing as the world’s greatest lover and a perfect Casanova.
James Bond (1953 - going strong still)
Having practised the art of seduction for the last 40 years, James Bond is by far the most famous Casanova since Casanova himself to have graced our screens.
Whether he is been played by Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Dalton, Brosnan or Craig, he always wins the day and gets the girl. Women from Ursula Andress to Kim Basinger, Denise Richards to Gemma Arterton, some of the most beautiful women in cinema have given in to his charm and dangerous ways.
You can watch Russell Brand as a very British kind of Casanova Arthur Bach in Arthur from 19th September