9. Character Development
The majority of comedy movies tend to focus on one, small part of the leading character's personality in order to allow that character to grow.
Arthur was different. It focused on its main character not just growing as a person, but actually growing into an adult - and the film pulled it off in a grand way.
Arthur transforms from a childish, self-centered, drunk to a loving, caring, drunken adult. Along the way he deals with death, stands up to his relatives, realizes money isn't everything, and risks his life (well, kinda') for the woman he loves. Not bad for a comedy.
10. Rich vs. Poor
There are few scenes in the world of movies that so succinctly touch on EVERY aspect of the "Can money buy happiness?" question, but the closing scene in
Arthur nails it perfectly. When Arthur is making his decision about taking his inheritance, a series of classically-simple arguments are uttered. Arthur: "I've always been rich and I've never been happy" Linda: "...I've always been poor and I've usually been happy" Martha: "...I've always been rich and I've always been happy" I couldn't have summed it all up any better. Although I would like to put the "always been rich" part to the test.