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Alfie [2004]
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Jude Law's Alfie, much like Michael Caine's in the 1966 original, is what you'd call an unrepentant womanizer. He beds 'em but never weds 'em, and New York provides ample opportunity to continue the process--until reality slaps him in the face. Because Jude Law is, well, Jude Law, you can see why he gets away with it as long as he does, and the actor also pulls off the usually awkward trick of narrating directly to the camera. Neither his Alfie, however, nor director Charles Shyer's remake emerges completely without scratches. Law has a Chesire Cat carnality, but he emanates too much intellect to buy him as the relatively dim bulb he's supposed to be. The film, meanwhile, is a bit soft around the edges; the whole thing would have more resonance if it wasn't quite so intent on watching the unrepentant repent. Regardless, it's a surprisingly thoughtful diversion, and there's fine work from Marisa Tomei, Nia Long, and Susan Sarandon as the women who understandably make Alfie reconsider his ways.--Steve Wiecking
A day in the life of a gigolo
Review date: 2008-07-24 Rating: 6 out of 10
This is the story of "love 'em and leave 'em" Alfie, an old school womaniser whose whole philosophy on life is that women love a scoundrel. Alfie, played by Jude Law, knows exactly how to manipulate women, all relationships have to adhere to his rules, and he will think nothing of bailing out without even a goodbye as soon as a more tempting lady comes along. He has a kind of semi-permanent girlfriend but she acts as nothing more a port in a storm he returns to when he wants to hang up his flirting boots for the night. She also has a child that Alfie is genuinely fond of, but this still doesn't stop him from misbehaving with the ladies.
Playing the field seems like his whole reason for existing until he embarks on one shenanigan too many, damaging his friendship with a very close friend. Things then start going wrong for him, including getting a taste of his own medicine from a feisty older lady, and suddenly his cosy world isn't quite as cosy anymore and he starts having serious doubts about his attitude towards people.
The film is very stylishly shot in New York, with the women that Jude Law encounters being equally stylish. Although the film's setting is modern day, it has a slight 1960s feel to it which makes Alfie's world seem even more set apart from the 'real' world that everyone else inhabits.
Jude Law puts in a convincingly cheeky performance, wittily narrating his way through the film and effectively inviting us to come along for the ride and cheer him on as he drifts from one female conquest to another. When things start to go astray for Alfie, he then enters a long period of soul searching and the film starts to lose it's direction a bit and becomes almost like a self-contained soap opera as Alfie tries to redeem himself. In fact the film's mood changes quite considerably in the second half, losing a lot of it's fun factor and becoming very melancholy and a little depressing. It's a pity this introspection couldn't have been complemented with the fun elements that made Jude Law's character so entertaining in the first half of the film.
Nonetheless Jude Law is on top form and the film has a good mixture of laughs and good drama that will keep you fully engaged as you wonder what is to become of this likeable rogue.
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Reviews
I don't think Alfie knows what it's all about!
Review date: 2007-10-16 Rating: 2 out of 10
This is a film that really does not know what it is. Is it a rom-com? Or is it a homage to the sixties ala khol eyed and stick skinny Sienna Miller? Or is it a fashion montage in the style of 'Vogue'? What it certainly is not is a good film! I was aghast to see the usually wonderful Susan Sarandon taking part in such a flimsy, superficial, and garish affair, with little substance or heart. Jude Law's direct dialogue with the camera was unconvincing, self conscious and often quite embarrasing to watch. Besides his undeniable good looks I could not see why his cockney limousine driver devoid of wit or intellect managed to bed so many women. Some of his asides to the camera were arrogant and down right offensive. Surely in the 21st century we have managed to move on from the fuzzy feelings apparently once inspired by the so-called 'loveable' womanizer? Marisa Tomai's character is the only one to come off half way unscathed, although once again she is playing the neurotic, always the bridesmaid never the bride, overenthusiastic and unloved girlfriend. Sienna Miller is given extremely little to work with and resorts to impromtu stripping off. I couldn't work out whether her performance was a genuine attempt to prove she could act or was merely shoehorned in to provide 'top totty' for all the bored senseless boyfriends who were probably dragged to see this at the cinema. The moralizing ending, where Alfie reflects on his behaviour labours far too much Hollywood smaltz and jars with the overall lighthearted tone of a movie that has the cheek to attempt to tackle serious issues such as infidelity, abortion and mental illness. Avoid!
A cockney womanizer learns the hard way about the dangers of his actions.
Review date: 2007-05-09 Rating: 8 out of 10
The higher you go, the harder you fall; That's the film's premise. I should probably start off by saying I haven't seen Michael Caine's version of Alfie. Without anything to compare it to, I surprisingly enjoyed this film. All in all, I found Alfie to be a 'breath of fresh air,' a pleasant surprise, a good balance of light-heartedness fun and more serious, thought-provoking issues not to be taken lightly.
No plot, no charm, waste of time.
Review date: 2006-12-20 Rating: 2 out of 10
THis is almost the worst film I have ever seen (narrowly beaten by Bridget Jones Edge of Reason). Seems to have missed the plot. Don't watch this, watch the Micahel Caine original.
Lord, but this was boring!
Review date: 2006-07-30 Rating: 4 out of 10
This was a messy movie, veering from one style to another, from stylised montage to a homage to the swinging 60s, before ending up sentimental and weepy, all whilst cramming in product endorsements by the second. Too many scenes were stopped short or faded out and felt unfinished.
The cliché-ridden songs whining in the background were DIRE ('like the blind leading the blind...old soldiers never die...etc'). You're left gasping to hear the original theme tune, Joss Stone's capable version of which is buried at the end of the closing credits.
Can someone please explain why they bothered filming in England? I remember them spending so much time and money turning Manchester's Northern Quarter (my neighbourhood) into Greenwich Village, which ended up being used in maybe 5 minutes of footage (the coffee shop and restaurant scenes with Marisa Tomei).
What were the fat florist and the German doctor doing in this movie??? It was like something from the Carry On films and another indication of the unevenness of the whole production.
And just think of poor Sadie Frost, having to watch Sienna's nips wiggling around in Jude's face!
A woman sat behind me sobbed through the second half (feeling sorry for Jude, which I'm not sure was the piont), while a bloke sat next to me snickered. So much for being the perfect 'date' movie.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Graydon Carter
Omar Epps
Jude Law
Julienne Davis
Susan Sarandon
Creators:
Jude Law (Primary Contributor)
Susan Sarandon (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437865038
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2005-02-21
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2004
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)