Alfie (2004)

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Highly Overrated But Still Good

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Written, directed and produced by Charles Shyer, and based on the 1966 British film of the same name which in return is adapted from a novel and play of the same name by Bill Naughton, this American remake tells the story of a single womanizing New York Limo Driver, named Alfie Elkins (Jude Law) whom is trying to change his Hedonism lifestyle, before its starts hurting the people, around him. Without spoiling the movie, too much, I have to say, this is one remake that shouldn't existed. After all, the original movie was made at a time, where a carefree existence was somewhat of a new thing & then-taboo subject matter. So, it makes sense for Michael Caine's Alfie to be, somewhat of an unlikeable womanizer. He cheats on numerous women, and despite his confidence towards women, he treats them with disrespect and refers to them as "it", using them for sex and for domestic purposes. However, with Jude Law's version, he far too likable and charming than the 1966's version. He's too proper. He wasn't as much as a jerk and detached, as the original character is supposed to be. In many ways, this version of Alfie, seem less of a sexual predator than Michael Caine and more like a normal human being. So, for the most part, it made for a more enjoyable watch, than the original movie. However, it's not as memorable, as the first movie, as 1966's 'Alfie' was an edgy produce of the time. In 2004, it is far more common for men and women to sleep around, and also have a child outside the traditional rules; but in 1966, that was not common. Even the thoughts of abortion, is a no-no. I think that's the problem with this movie. It's not shocking anymore! Plus, there is barely any new stakes to modernize the dated source material. Honestly, the movie would had work better, if Alfie was more ass. Then, his fail redemption story would felt more tragic than it was. I didn't feel invested as I should. It wasn't engaging to me. It's a lot of first world Casanova conflicts that most people can't relate to. I would rather see him, deal with more modern day normal sexual problems, like STDs, complex sexual preferences, and time-management. Plus, as a comedy. This movie isn't that funny. Even the comical erectile dysfunction joke seem a bit limp. Also, the jokes are repetitive as hell. It doesn't have that, Woody Allen unique style, 'break the fourth wall' charm. It could had been a little clever in the way, it deliver that. Yet, it still has some cool moments in the beginning of the film, but for the most part, it wasn't anything new, toward the end. The 'break the fourth wall' pacing became to drag on, a little too much. Despite that, the supporting casting is well done. Marisa Tomei as Julie was amazing. You really hope for them to get together, even in the end. Susan Sarandon is a perfect fit for the rich MILF role that Shelley Winters used to bring, in the original movie. It also nice to see, some diversity, with African-American actors & actresses, playing Alfie's best friend, Marlon (Omar Epps) and love-interest, Lonette (Nia Long). However, I didn't like the Asian roles like Wing (Gedde Watanabe) in this film. I found them to be a bit stereotypical, and somewhat offensive racist. If there were performance from the supporting cast, I didn't like; it would be, with Jude Law's then, real-life girlfriend, Sienna Miller as Nikki. I found her character to be minor with barely anything to show, besides lot of scenes of nudity. I know, her character was written that way so he miss Julie more, but it was highly disappointing. The whole montage sequence, kinda under-minded what she could had shown. Despite that, the movie is beautifully shot. Lots of bright colors to lighten the dark mood of the film. The music score composed by rock-star Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart and John Powell wasn't that bad, either. For the song "Old Habits Die Hard" Mick Jagger and David A. Stewart won the BFCA Award, the Golden Globe, a Sierra Award and the World Soundtrack. Yet it's nothing worth getting exciting about. It sounds like generic run of the mill, early 2000s rock music at the time. Nothing memorable. Further songs by Wyclef Jean and The Isley Brothers were the same. Overall: Hey Jude! You're a good actor, but this remake wasn't that good. At least, it is way better than 1975's sequel to the original movie, 'Alfie Darling' with Alan Price replacing Michael Caine. That movie was horrible. In the end, 2004's 'Alfie' was a box office bomb, not because it was bad. It was because of its mediocre. I really can't recommended watching it. It was a pointless watch.

Alfie is a cocky Englishman enjoying his life in New York. Life seems good to him; he has a girlfriend but that doesn't stop him sleeping with other women who he dumps at the first sign that they want any sort of commitment. Then things start to go wrong; his girlfriend decides that she has had enough, he sleeps with his best friend's girlfriend then he finds that he can no longer perform in the way that matters most to him… in bed. This leaves him questioning his life style. He finds another girlfriend but the longer they are together the more he longs for somebody else; he then thinks he's found 'the one' only to learn that she has the same attitude to men that he had always had for women.I can't compare this to the original film as it is a long time since I watched that. Without that nagging comparison I found this to be an enjoyable film. Jude Law did a fine job as Alfie making him likable even though he is clearly a bit of a cad. I liked how most of the dialogue was aimed directly at the audience in a way that not only breaks the fourth wall it completely removes it. Some may consider the film to be somewhat misogynistic thanks to Alfie's one track mind when it comes to women; thankfully we see that attitude has consequences. The rest of the cast impresses too; most notably Sienna Miller and Susan Sarandon. Overall I found this to be rather fun although not a must see unless you are a Jude Law fan.

There's no other way to describe this person, Alfie. A Brit ex-pat who finds his way to one of the major urban hubs in the US, and goes about bedding women without rhyme or reason as to what he's doing, nor why he's doing it. Other than he likes what he does regardless of how anybody else feels. Truly self centered.But how does a person operate like this? Some are sociopaths. They've got that reptilian thing going on to reproduce, and have the intellect of a human mind that allows them to fixate and interact with mainstream society, but without regards as to how others feel. It's not a disease so much as a default in the neurological makeup of a particular type of human mind.But, let's suppose Alfie in this film is a normal human being. Then how is it that he's able to jump from bed to bed to bed without remorse or second thought as to whom is getting hurt in the process. How does it work? We're not really sure, other than Alfie is incapable of seeing past the bridge of his nose where his interests and other people's feelings are concerned. If this is the case, and Alfie realizes his faults after he's utterly betrayed so many friends and potential soul mates for the sake of a nights pleasure, then he truly is a scumbag. One might call him a type of human being that is incapable of existence. That is it almost seems impossible to conceive of a human being, truly and fully functional, one capable of empathy, acting the way the main character does in this story. I mean, it can't happen, right? But hey, it's Hollywood, so we give it a pass. Instead of questioning the plausibility of the scenario, we allow the films production values (outstanding in this case) to shine and wash over us. We take in Jude Law's performance as he cavorts with the opposite sex, and for a brief moment almost desire the life he has. But this is a parable about consequences, not one about male fantasies. Yet even parables fall into the realm of fantasy, as reality for real "Alfies" falls into a deep shade of gray as to their ultimate fate, and as to whether or not they learned a lesson from their foibles.I'm not a fan of the film, but I like it as a film. I think it's exceptionally well shot, well staged, and particularly well acted. It's a story regarding an element of society that allows their loins to dictate their actions and ultimate psychology, with perhaps a subconscious notion that if only people would see things their way, then it would be a whole lot better world. Untrue of course. Regardless of our deepest erotic fantasies, what really guides us is our desire for common decency and a degree of respect for our thoughts, feelings and relationships. But this seems to be beyond Alfie's capability.Truth be told I knew an "Alfie" at one time (not me) who led pretty much the life this Alfie led, right down to betraying his best friend in exact same way as depicted in the film (again, not me, but I knew the parties involved). I wondered if that person ever learned a lesson like Alfie. Probably not.If I had one complaint about this film, and I'm not sure that I do, it's that there's little in the way of a Greek chorus, or a close friend acting as such, telling us Alfie's ultimate fate. That's perhaps too didactic, but it almost felt like the film needed that. I also felt the film needed to be accessible to younger viewers. The language and sex scenes prohibit this, but in our day and age it seems to me that young people need this kind of warning.I suppose the big question is this; will Alfie ever change? One doubts it. But then again the film doesn't present any afterword. We have to decide for ourself what Alfie makes of his world.An interesting watch.

Jude Law is no Micheal Caine , and he should understand that no one can be Micheal Caine. Having said that I was all out to rip this movie as I am a member of Boycott Hollwood for remaking classics club. I have not seen the original but in my opinion the reason why this version of Alfie is probably not no where near as good as the original due to the fact that times and attitudes towards, gender , race and politics and women have changed dramatically since 1966. Although I felt that Jude Law tries to mad, cocky, carefree and flamboyant he fails miserably and ends up becoming dim-witted arrogant and is one of those people who would love to punch in the face in the bar on Friday because you don't like the way way he looks! I mean the movie just shows Jude Law shagging, talking to the camera and tells people advice about women (not that me or any self respecting player needs to take advice from a pep-squeak who cried when Sienna Miller dumped him). Although there were several valid points made by him during the movie it is true that life breaks in mysterious ways I would know a thing or 2 about that. In general Alfie is a movie which no one really has to watch because it seems like a waste of time , however it feels glad to get it out of my system and not to mention that it proves my point to hate Jude Law even more.ALFIE : 6.2 OUT OF 10HE WAS A PLAYER UNTIL HE GOT PLAYED...