Review of Alfie (2004) by Manny C — 23 Mar 2011

Jude Law is delightfully sexy and appealing as Alfie, the hunkish, charming chauffeur who fucks damn near every woman he lays eyes on. Unfortunately, Law's acting in this remake of a 60's film starring Michael Caine, doesn't match up to his string of wonderful performances in films like Cold Mountain, Road To Perdition or A.

I.: Artificial Intelligence, films which required him to be more than pretty. Still, Law seizes the role with relish, delivering Alfie's monologues with just the right amount of charm and racy wit.

But Michael Caine did it all better in the 1966 original, which was tougher and more raw. Caine's Alfie was likable, but Caine never strained to make him so. This remake from director Charles Shyer (Father of The Bride, the remake) strains to get us to like Alfie, despite his cad ways.

Instead, the abuse Alfie gets from the likes of the women he's spurned, including Marisa Tomei, Nia Long, Jane Krakowski and best of all Sienna Miller, makes us almost feel sorry for the fella. We even pity him when older woman Susan Sarandon dumps him in favor of a younger beau.

It's a frustratingly tedious tone, where the only saving grace is the talented actors and the great tunes by Mick Jagger and Dave Stewart. What's it all about Alfie? You won't find an interesting answer here.