Although the term echoes with presumptions, there is still such a thing as a star vehicle for an actor with promise. When 10 was released in 1979, it was testing the waters as to the possibility of Dudley Moore becoming a serious contender for leading male material. It was such a success that 1981's Arthur was a shoe-in star vehicle for Moore. And although Moore didn't win one of the two Oscars it won that year, the film set the actor up for a career in Hollywood, albeit a fairly average one.

Not only is this a remake of that classic film, but it's fair to say that this version is also the star vehicle for comedian Russell Brand, who has dipped his acting toe into the likes of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek; neither film could be described as a stretch for Brand, but he certainly proved he had charisma on the big screen.

Just like Moore, Arthur is a star vehicle that could potentially put Brand on the Hollywood map.

Life is sweet for Arthur (Brand). He literally has more money than sense, being born into the lucrative riches of the Bach family. He doesn't care for business however, choosing instead to enjoy the many pleasures that come with being a multi-millionaire playboy. He likes the drink, and he likes the ladies; he also likes being looked after by his nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) and his chauffeur Bitterman (Luis Guzman), both of whom he couldn't manage without.

Due to an unfortunate diversion – which saw Arthur arrested for being intoxicated at the wheel of the Batmobile – he failed to attend a rather crucial event his mother (Geraldine James) had set up to announce that her son would be the new chairman of Bach Worldwide.

His mother therefore decides to take matters into her own hands, by delivering Arthur an ultimatum: marry the savvy Susan (Jennifer Garner), so that the company could be run in safe hands. If he decides not to marry her, he will be completely cut off from his inheritance, a rather hefty $950 million.

Having had brief relations with Susan before, the deal isn't too demanding. Things change though when Arthur meets Naomi (Greta Gerwig); a struggling illegal tour guide. Arthur soon finds that he's confronted with a dilemma of what's really important to him, matters of the wallet or of the heart?

Blimey Dame 'Elen, tis a wondrous day for a stroll ain't it? You could at least put a smile on that boat race of yours.

As star vehicles go, Brand puts his foot down all the way as the loveable fop Arthur. It should be made clear however, that this doesn't really stand side by side with the original; that starred Moore and Liza Minnelli, as well as Oscar-winning turns for both John Gielgud as Hobson, and Burt Bacharach for his soundtrack. A real class act.

That's not to take anything away from Brand; he goes on the charm offensive from the off, incorporating his now infamous shtick to good effect. It's his most warm and affable performance on screen yet. He's also helped in a great bit of casting; choosing a woman for the role of Hobson could have really backfired, but the inspired choice of Mirren creates a really strong relationship between her and Brand. And although Guzman doesn't have that much to do, he is the perfect foil as Brand's chauffeur.

And if that wasn't enough, Gerwig has a refreshingly down-to-earth vibe about her as Naomi. She brings a brightness and breeziness to the character, making her instantly likeable.

Director Jason Winer hasn't had much experience working on features, coming as he does from a TV background (where he has directed numerous shows, but most tellingly, quite a few for the excellent sitcom Modern Family) but gives a good account of himself here. He knows that Brand is the star of the show, and therefore just keeps the cameras on him at all times.

It's not exactly original, and it's about as predictable as turkey on Christmas day, but it's difficult not to succumb to Brand's playful cheekiness.

Arthur is far from being in the same league as the original, but it clearly achieves its main objective; as a star vehicle it showcases Brand's talents perfectly. It will be interesting to see what Brand does from this point on, and the direction he decides to steer his growing film career.