Mark Wahlberg and a new dog star Arthur, a film version of an incredible real-life story. The film, based on an event that happened to Swedish marathon runner Mikael Lindnordhas the necessary ingredients to entertain all audiences.
In old Hollywood it was said that adult actors should never work with children or animals if they didn’t want to lose relevance. The concrete thing is that there are numerous films that have fascinated with dogs in leading roles. From the captivating Flike by umberto dthe only and affectionate Totó de The Wizard of Ozthe big family of Pongo and Perdita from 101 Dalmatiansthe mischievous Uggie of The artistuntil the recent presence of Messi, the border collie from the award-winning Anatomy of a Fall, among many others.
In Arthur, over the course of ten days of intense adventurous competition with extreme weather situations, across 700 kilometers, in the Dominican Republic, where it was filmed, an unbreakable bond is created between Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) and a stray dog whose name gives the title to the film. That bond of union, practically inexplicable, will end redefining what victory, loyalty and friendship truly mean.
Inspired by what happened in 2014, but in Ecuador, to the Swedish runner Mikael Lindnord who was participating in a world championship called Huairasinchi (“The force of the wind”, in Quechua) when a dog living on the street, to which he gave the name Arthur, decided to accompany him through the jungle, climb mountains, cross rivers and survive thanks to packaged meatballs and glasses of water.
In the plot of the film, directed with pace by Simon Cellan-Jones (He also guided Wahlberg in comedy family plan), Michael is an arrogant, hypercompetitive man whose stubbornness causes his team to lose an important competition. Three years later he tells his wife Helena (Juliet Rylance, who we saw in the film Bloody Left), his intention to try again and rebuild a squad to get sponsors.
In the company of Leo, an Instagram celebrity (Simu Liu, the Chinese actor from Barbie), the expert climber Olivia (Nathalie Emmanuel, from Fast & Furious and Game of Thrones) and the expert navigator Chik (Ali Suliman, Israeli actor of The shadow of the kingdom AND web of lies), embarks on an action-packed adventure where zip-lining, hiking, biking, kayaking and more demonstrate humans’ proverbial ability to adapt to extreme conditions.
Mark Wahlberg and his inseparable dog, in the film “Arthur”.During a stop to regain his strength, Michael discovers the touching sight of Arthur walking the streets looking for scraps, ownerless and visibly injured.
From that moment on he will be the fifth member of the team and will take care of them, in the purest style of the legendary Lassie. For example, when she stops them from walking towards a dangerous jungle cliff in the middle of a rainy night. As the race continues, Arthur becomes a celebrity for the media covering the tourand when the competition ends he will be adopted by Michael and integrated into his family.
Although predictable, the film never gets boring and is moving and thought-provoking, which is a great credit.
The friendly Ukai, like the dog’s real name, steals many scenes with his presence alone. The athletic and charismatic Wahlberg, one of the film’s producers, shines in a role tailor-made for him and the rest of the cast is up to the task. Of particular note are the screenplay by Michael Brandt, the photography by French Jacques Jouffret, the music by Kevin Matley and the dog training by Mathilde de Cagny.
Everywhere with the dog. In the film his name is Arthur, but his real name is Ukai and he is the protagonist of the film.File
Arthur
Qualification: Well
Adventure/Drama. United States, 2024. 107′, ATP. Original title: “Arthur, the King”. Address: Simon Cellan Jones With: Mark Wahlberg, Simu Liu, Juliet Rylance, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ali Suliman and Ukai the dog Rooms: Cinépolis Recoleta and Houssay, Cinemark Palermo, Hoyts Abasto and Dot, Atlas Caballito, Flores and Patio Bullrich.
Source: Clarin
