Just noticed the review formatting has returned, thank god for that
Just noticed the review formatting has returned, thank god for that
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As the second instalment of my “Jude Law’s in everything series” I sat down the other night and watched the remake of Alfie. Now being a bit of a Michael Caine fan it’s a little odd that I’ve never watched the original version. So I thought as I had a copy of Jude’s new version I’d watch that first and catch up with the original afterwards. It seems that Jude is certainly Hollywood’s darling at the moment but it remains to be seen whether this will be a lasting stay or if he’ll be cast out in the cold in a couple of years.
Jude plays the loveable rogue Alfie. He lives along in New York city and has the sort of live a lot of men would be envious of. He drives a limo and usually ends up sleeping with which ever attractive young thing happens t be 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 after she finds another woman’s underwear in the trash after Alfie’s rather poor attempt at hiding them. From there he goes to help Marlon with his love life and ends up sleeping with Marlon’s ex girlfriend. Who in turn went on to agree to marry Marlon, although not before finding out she’s pregnant, with Alfie’s child. After that his life really starts 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 and I really felt he fitted the role fantastically. He worked well with just about every member of the female cast including Susan Sarandon and the future Mrs Law, Sienna Miller.
I felt this was a really testament to director Charles Shyer the man who brought us Father of The Bride back in 1991. He has handled the remake well and although I’ve not seen the original but the remake certainly makes a decent film. He also had a hand in adapting Bill Naughton’s original script along with Elaine Pope who used to have a hand in Seinfield the TV series. All in all they’ve made a good job of the script and screenplay and that makes the film a lot more watchable.
There are a few slower moments to the plot but they add a sense of tension to the storyline. There are a number of funny moments but I found them to be more snigger inducing moments rather than laugh out loud hilarious parts. I felt that New York really was the ideal location and it was hard to tell, which scenes they had used Manchester as the New York double for. Overall though the locations were good and added the real playboy feel to Alfie.
I felt the soundtrack really made certain scene’s within the movie. The combination of Jagger and Dave Stewart worked fantastically well together but when they added Joss Stone to the mix it sounded fantastic. There were certain scene’s where the soundtrack really carried the film and again I felt this was a good decision by Syher to let the music and scene’s say more than words ever could.
Overall I would have to say Alfie really surprised me. I was expecting quite a weak film that played off Jude’s name and lacked any real substance. Instead the end result is a thoroughly enjoyable film, that although a little slow in certain places does keep you entertained. Jude is the perfect choice as Alfie and I don’t think there are many actors who could pull off the role so well. With a supporting cast who make Jude look even better it’s a decent film and one I can thoroughly recommend is Worthing renting if not buying. If you see one Jude Law film this wee make it this one.
Amazon.co.uk: £9.99
Pictures of Alfie (DVD)
Alfie (Jude Law)
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Great review. Jude Law has been in a lot of films lately. Seems like something I'd enjoy too. It's funny though, seems appropriate that this guy's playing a cheating but charming man. Rings true in real life too. Poor Sienna. Apparantly she's taken him back though. But he has to behave or he gets the chop. lol
xx maj xx
BabyGirl 09.03.2005 23:09
Karen's wrong, he's marrying me ;) haha :D xx
torr 06.03.2005 13:58
Law is as good as Caine for the part, but the original version is better, in my view. Duncan
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![Alfie [DVD] [1965]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78549467.jpg "Alfie [DVD] [1965]")
Feb 28th, 2005
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