Arthur Newman (2012)
A quiet, character-driven drama about escaping who you are and discovering what you truly need.
Arthur Newman - Movie Information
- Original Title: Arthur Newman
- Release Year: 2012
- Directed by: Dante Ariola
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 7, 2012 (Australia - R18+), April 26, 2013 (United States - R), September 8, 2012 (Canada - R), June 27, 2014 (United Kingdom - 15), May 7, 2014 (France - 12), November 23, 2012 (Italy)
- Alternative Titles: Arthur and Mike (US), Meus Dias Incríveis (BR), Arthur & Mike (NL), Ein tolles Leben (DE)
- Production Companies: Cross Creek Pictures, Vertebra Films
- Production Countries: United States of America
Arthur Newman - Plot
A story of a man who fakes his own death and assumes a new identity in order to escape his life, who then moves in with a woman who is also trying to leave her past behind.
Arthur Newman - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a feel for the film's understated, road-trip atmosphere:
If you don't have a life, get someone else's.
Where to Watch Arthur Newman
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Arthur Newman - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Dante Ariola
Main Cast
- Colin Firth
- Emily Blunt
- Lucas Hedges
- Anne Heche
- M. Emmet Walsh
- Kristin Lehman
- Phillip Troy Linger
- Sterling Beaumon
- Autumn Dial
- Steve Coulter
Writers
- Becky Johnston
Producers
- Alisa Tager
- Brian Oliver
- Becky Johnston
- Mac Cappuccino
Arthur Newman - FAQs
What is Arthur Newman about?
Arthur Newman follows a deeply unhappy man who fakes his own death and reinvents himself under a new name to escape a life that no longer fits. Along the way he meets a troubled young woman running from her own past, and the two form an unlikely, tender bond built on shared secrets and borrowed identities.
Does Arthur Newman have a happy ending?
The ending is bittersweet rather than conventionally happy. Without giving too much away, both characters are forced to confront who they really are beneath the identities they've constructed. It's a quietly honest conclusion that feels earned rather than tidy, leaving room for hope without wrapping everything up neatly.
Where can you stream Arthur Newman right now?
Arthur Newman is available on several platforms. You can stream it free on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Tubi TV, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Kanopy, and Hoopla. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Why does Wallace Avery fake his own death?
Wallace feels utterly trapped — estranged from his son, stuck in a dead-end job, and disconnected from any sense of purpose. Faking his death and becoming “Arthur Newman” isn't about running from trouble so much as running toward the possibility of being someone entirely different, someone whose life might actually mean something.
Who are the main actors in Arthur Newman?
Colin Firth leads the film as the quietly desperate Wallace Avery, who reinvents himself as Arthur Newman. Emily Blunt plays Mike Fitzgerald, the unpredictable young woman he meets on the road. The supporting cast includes Lucas Hedges, Anne Heche, and M. Emmet Walsh.
Is Arthur Newman worth watching for fans of quiet dramas?
If you enjoy character-driven, introspective films, Arthur Newman is a rewarding watch. Firth and Blunt deliver nuanced, understated performances, and the film's gentle pace suits its themes of identity and reinvention. It's not a crowd-pleaser, but it lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.
Who directed Arthur Newman and wrote the screenplay?
Arthur Newman was directed by Dante Ariola, a commercial director making his feature film debut. The screenplay was written by Becky Johnston, who also served as a producer on the film. Johnston crafted the story around themes of identity, escape, and the quiet desperation that can settle into an ordinary life.
Was Arthur Newman released under a different title?
Yes — the film was released as Arthur and Mike in the United States and Arthur & Mike in the Netherlands. It also carried the title Meus Dias Incríveis in Brazil and Ein tolles Leben in Germany. The original international title Arthur Newman was used for its festival and wider global release.
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