Alfie DVD

Advantages: Great cast, good update
Disadvantages: The man is a bounder

Alfie Elkins is an ex-pat Cockney lothario working as a chauffeur in New York. He spends most of his time romancing the ladies of Manhattan and running away when things get too serious. But how long can he keep sprinting from commitment with so many women trying to tie him down. So, what’s it all about, Alfie? I walked into this remake of the iconic 1960s’ Michael Caine vehicle expecting to loathe it. Not because I am a huge Caine fan, nor because ...
...much as dialogue to make Alfie a far more complex character than in the original film. There are also plenty of twists to keep you guessing and a resolutely ambiguous ending. The film hinges on the performance of the leading man and Jude Law proves a surprisingly charming and sympathetic lead. He imbues Alfie with a charm and cheekiness that was lacking in the original, whilst showing a remarkable range of emotions as his life unravels around him. ... Read review

Advantages: Jude Law is fantastic as the loveable rogue. A great cast and excellent screenplay, fantastic soundtrack
Disadvantages: A little slow in places but more than made up for by everything else

...in the back. In fact Alfie will pretty much sleep with any woman who looks at him twice. He’s also got his semi serious girlfriend Julie (Marisa Tomei) hidden away on the other side of town. In fact things are looking quite rosy for Alfie, who even plans to buy the Limo company along with best friend Marlon (Omar Epps). As we all know though luck doesn’t last for ever and soon Alfie’s world is turned totally upside down. He is thrown out by Julie ...
...to go to pot and Alfie needs to sort himself out, especially as he worries if Lonette’s (Nia Long) abortion was the right decision. The end result is a movie that’s both interesting and enjoyable. It shows a different side to Jude’s character and it’s a side I think he picks up very well. He has the ability to bring the loveable rogue Alfie to life and this is a real testament to Jude. It’s slightly different to the other characters he has played ... Read review

Advantages: Jude Law, good cast, good acting.
Disadvantages: Tries a bit too hard.

...it, the lasting impression of Alfie is a rather sexy Jude Law smiling charmingly into the camera. Who said I was complaining? Now, I haven’t seen the 1966 version of the film starring Michael Caine, although apparently my Mum saw it in the cinema at the time. Having read a few online interviews with Jude and director Charles Shyer, they seem to have to answer criticisms of ‘dumbing down’ Alfie’s original character. Caine’s Alfie was misogynistic, ...
...this. Jude Law’s portrayal of Alfie is a good one. He is a smooth talker; he gets away with anything by a quick flash of his ultra-cute grin and a quick quip. He dresses well and takes care of his appearance. He is appealing to women and who can blame them? Of course, there is another side to him and one which becomes more apparent as the film goes on. The method of using ‘asides’ is employed effectively here. From the start, Alfie confides in his ... Read review

Advantages: Jude, made me laugh, different
Disadvantages: Not to all tastes

...himself. From there on Alfie has to face facts, and see how he’s been left with nobody, not even his best friend after a few drinks got in the way. Forgive me for not revealing much about the plot, but I don’t want to give it away. The narrative format of the film is linear, but chops and changes between characters and how they make an impact on our Alfie, and how he affects theirs. I feel that the narrative mimics our real lives, we often have ...
...address to the audience by Alfie is quite alarming at first, the audience is used to sitting back and watching the events unfold, instead of being told about them from a first person’s point of view. But don’t be put off, it is surprisingly easy to step into the role of our protagonist’s confidante, he says throughout the film that he ‘finds it easy to hide his feelings’ and so we are given privileged position. But even with this we still can only ... Read review

Advantages: Jude Law, good acting from all the cast
Disadvantages: the end seemed slow

...have told you. I KNEW Alfie was a womaniser, but I thought perhaps it was that he womanised until he met Sienna Miller's character and then changed in order to to win her affections. I think I, along with possibly other members of the public who hadn't seen the original, were probably led to believe this because of Jude and Sienna's high profile romance after meeting on the set of this film. Sometimes reality and fiction can blur like that, eh? ...
...at the charming front that Alfie presents to the world. Then we get to meet some of his women. There's Dorrie (Jane Krakowski - otherwise known as Elaine from Ally McBeal), married but getting no loving from her husband. And Julie (Marisa Tomei), the sweet and pretty one that Alfie really should be with except, in the nicest possible way, he doesn't think she is good enough to be on his arm. (Which is ridiculous, because she looks absolutely gorgeous ... Read review