Katy Perry is busy consoling Russell Brand after critics panned his new film, Arthur, with one calling it the “nail in the coffin” of the comic’s acting career and another calling him a “half-cocked egomaniac.”
Perry took a break from her California Dreams world tour and flew from Glasgow to New York to spend time with Brand, who is likely to be smarting after 1981 Dudley Moore remake Arthur was labelled, well, a dud.
“I can’t wait to see you… As #ARTHUR! @rustyrockets hope it’s all going amazing!,” tweeted Perry with misguided optimism before she flew over. She had been unable to attend the screening on Tuesday night because of work commitments.
Perry may, however, have her work cut out persuading Brand that things are “going amazing” after Arthur received the worst reviews of his career.
Film critic Marshall Fine wrote for Huffington Post: “If anything, this movie should put a nail in the coffin of Russell Brand’s career as a movie comic because, well, the guy’s just not that funny. Particularly not when he assays an entire role in that high, whiny, little-boy voice that he uses here.”
Entertainment Weekly wrote: “I really started to wonder: Why are we sitting and watching this dithering, half-cocked egomaniac?”
“Russell Brand’s appeal escapes me. His big shovel face, Medusa coif, and high-pitched, Geico Gecsko–like voice make me uneasy,” said the Boson Phoenix.
“Director Jason Winer turns things over to Brand but it’s a rough, out-of-focus performance,” the Hollywood Reporter wrote.
And, perhaps more cutting, Associated Press decreed that, “Arthur gets neutered in Brand’s hands.”
Ouch.
Watch Russell Brand in the Arthur trailer here.
