'Arthur's Whisky' Reviews:

         On October 4, 2024, 'Arthur's Whiskey' was released by Vertical to predominantly positive reviews from critics, currently holding at 80% on Rotten Tomatoes. "Arthur's Whisky is a charming, feel-good comedy about living in the moment. When Joan's (Patricia Hodge) husband dies, she discovers he had invented an anti-aging elixir that literally takes the years off. Sharing it with her two friends Linda (Diane Keaton) and Susan (Lulu), the three rejuvenated women waste no time in painting the town red, but they soon realize it's a very different world to the one they remember." The ensemble cast includes David Harewood and Hayley Mills. But what did the critics say?

        Leslie Felperin of Guardian says, "The cast, from the leads down to the bit players, feels pretty random, and some might wonder if the ensemble hasn’t gone through a number of transformations between greenlight and the wrap party. But the core threesome have a pleasant chemistry and are pros enough to make it work for an audience unlikely to be especially critical."

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

       Kat Halstead of Common Sense Media notes, "Watching Arthur's Whisky, there's a sense of warmth, friendship, and fun that feels authentic and makes you wonder whether these actors bonded in the same way on set." Adding, "Their younger counterparts have a similar energy, doing a great job of stepping into pretty established shoes -- particularly Genevieve Gaunt, who plays the younger Keaton, and has her gestures and mannerisms down to a tee (no doubt having mined her back catalog for inspiration). Elsewhere Adil Ray (Citizen Khan) makes an impact as the charming love interest, and the likes of Boy George, Hayley Mills (The Parent Trap), and Lawrence Chaney (RuPaul's Drag Race UK) pop up too. There are definitely generic depictions of women aging -- talking about wrinkles, sagging breasts, difficulty getting up out of chairs, etc. -- that might cause a few eyes to roll, but there's enough else happening to let it slide and concentrate on what is a warm, funny tale of friendship, regardless of age."