Arthur 2 - On the Rocks (1988)

13% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
32% of users liked it
(7,275 ratings)

In this sequel to the 1981 hit comedy Arthur, the story picks up where it left off with the bibulous millionaire hero (Dudley Moore) marrying poverty-stricken Linda Marolla (Liza Minnelli) instead of going through with a prearranged wealthy marriage. The vengeful father (Stephen Elliott) of the… More In this sequel to the 1981 hit comedy Arthur, the story picks up where it left off with the bibulous millionaire hero (Dudley Moore) marrying poverty-stricken Linda Marolla (Liza Minnelli) instead of going through with a prearranged wealthy marriage. The vengeful father (Stephen Elliott) of the justifiably jilted bride begins pulling a few crooked strings, and before long, Arthur is broke. Worse still, Linda is pregnant. Will Arthur crawl back into a bottle, or will he save the day? John Gielgud makes a cameo appearance as the ghost of the family-retainer character he played in the first Arthur, while Dudley Moore's real-life wife Brogan Lane shows up in a minor role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Bud Yorkin
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 8, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Feb 15, 2005
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...one of the most underwhelming sequels in cinematic history.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
A poor Arthur is even more obnoxious than a rich Arthur. (Blu-ray Edition)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
It would have been better for Warners to have left well enough alone.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Unnecessary sequel to now politically incorrect comedy of alcoholism. Great cast, however.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
Doesn't have as many big laughs as the classic 1981 original, but the characters are still likable enough for this to merit a passing grade.
Gregory Weinkauf, ÜberCiné
Y'know, I gotta side with the first Arthur movie, but this wasn't painful in any particular way.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Bad, bad sequel to an over-hyped original.
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
This film never happened. Don't ask me about it again.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Another unnecessary sequel.
Bob Grimm, Las Vegas Mercury
A candidate for all time worst sequel.

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

It's only taken me 21 years to finally watch this film. It's not very good at all but getting to watch some new (for me anyway) footage of Dudley Moore and John Gielgud felt like a treat, so I?m going to rate it higher than it deserves. So there! :o)
Dean !

A ok film with some funny moments.
Derek D

Lightning doesn't strike twice as this sequel falls completely flat on its face. A lot of the same from the first movie, but somewhat different in tone. Even Geilgud's ghostly appearance in this movie can't save this film. But I enjoyed it.
Jason S

Not all that great. It tries really hard to capture the magic of the first one but really doesn't make it.
xGary X

Dud tries to recreate his only decent film by doing his tiresome comedy drunk schtick again, but realises John Gielgud was the only funny one in it, and he's dead. Which leaves Liza Minelli to save the day. All hands abandon ship...

Cast

            Dudley Moore as Arthur Bach

            Liza Minnelli as Linda Marolla

            John Gielgud as Hobson

            Geraldine Fitzgerald as Martha Bach

            Paul Benedict as Fairchild

            Cynthia Sikes as Susan Johnson

            Kathy Bates as Mrs. Canby

            Stephen Elliott as Burt Johnson

            Barney Martin as Ralph Marolla

            Jack Gilford as Mr. Butterworth Super

            Thomas Barbour as Stanford Bach

            Mary Betten as Housekeeper Wife

            Linda A. Borgeson as Diner Customer

            Ron Canada as Bartender

            Eagle Eye Cherry as Teenager

            Nick de Mauro as Building Superintendent

            Darryl Edwards as Johnson Guard

            Aileen Fitzpatrick as Saleswoman

            Daniel Greene as Troy

            Joe Jamrog as Doorman

            Cameron Johann as Hardware Store Customer #2

            Joseph Leon as Hank

            Robert Levine as Cabdriver

            Ken Magee as Hardware Store Customer #1

            Molly McClure as Greta

            Raymond O'Connor as Drunk #1

            Joe Restivo as Seedy Bartender

            Don Stark as Diner Customer

            J. Christopher Sullivan as Diner Customer

            Ken Sylk as Man in Shadows

            John C. Vennema as Maitre D'

            Terry Wills as Man in Alley

            Jason Wingreen as Boardmember #2

            Brogan Lane as Cindy

            Ted Ross as Bitterman

            Larry Golden as Bum

            Frederikke Borge as Decorator

            Carl Bressler as Diner Customer

            John O'Neill as Housekeeper Husband

            John A. Zee as Bald Executive

            Dave O'Brien
            
            Sir John Gielgud
            
See full cast