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68 out of 116 people found the following review useful: Sort of a pointless exercise., 6 July 2005 Author: eht5y from United States
The original 'Alfie,' released in 1966, was considered a revelation for its frank and somewhat dark portrait of the life of a cockney rake, and can now be seen as somewhat prophetic, as it predated (and in some ways helped to introduce) the era of 'swinging London' and the sexual revolution. The 2004 'Alfie' seems to exist for no other purpose than to dress Jude Law up in a hip wardrobe and allow him to wink, smirk, and sigh endlessly at the camera as he sleeps his way through a series of likable women he doesn't deserve. There isn't much of a narrative structure here, and while Law is an engaging screen presence, Alfie is a totally unsympathetic lout who deserves his eventual comeuppance.It's too bad that Bill Naughton wasn't able to update his original story more effectively, because the film is gorgeous to look at. Despite a few unnecessary bits of cleverness (billboards with odd, art-nouveau messages like 'desire' and 'wish', a lot of mod-ish split screen sequences with still photography, etc.), the cinematography is superb, Law looks dashing in his GQ hipster wardrobe, and the ladies--Susan Sarandon, Jane Krakowski, Nia Long, Marisa Tomei, and newcomer Sienna Miller (whom Law apparently dumped his wife for during filming)--are ravishing. The soundtrack is also superb, made up mostly of new tunes by Mick Jagger and Dave Stewart (of Eurythmics fame).The biggest problem here is that times have changed since the original Alfie: sexual and gender politics don't allow for a protagonist who bed-hops and deceives women with impunity to be cast as heroic or even remotely sympathetic. In the end, the film seems hollow, like a nearly two-hour long visual fashion spread (interestingly, 'Vanity Fair' editor Graydon Carter has a cameo in the film). Beautiful to look at, but ultimately it's just pretty trash.
85 out of 160 people found the following review useful: Jude must be taking the Michael..., 12 November 2004 Author: warnerclassic from Sunny Sunny Cornwall
Not a lot of people know this, but Terence Stamp first played the role of Alfie on stage over thirty years ago. He was then offered the film role, but turned it down. His flatmate, a struggling up and coming actor, tried to convince him to take the part, but Terence was not budging. And so his flatmate took the role. His name, was Michael Caine, and that film, Alfie, spring boarded the young actor to be the most famous cockney in the world. Of all Caine's films this ranks alongside Get Carter and The Italian Job as his best, and so why re-make it I hear you cry! Hollywood had a go at remaking The Italian Job and Get Carter but only came out with turkeys so big you couldn't fit them in your oven. But instead of remaking a Michael Caine film that wasn't good (THE SWARM, BLAME IT ON RIO!) Caine's golden classic Alfie has had the makeover, with pretty boy Jude Law bought in to ask what it's all about. Well for those who don't know what it's all about, Alfie's world is women, pulling them and dumping them. Sounds a little cold, but that is Alfie, a bird puller extraordinaire who lives for the conquests, but soon bores of them whenever commitment rears it's ugly head. Of course Alfie has to be bought down a peg or two, and this happens as a result of another conquest, which has further reaching consequences than Alfie can realize. But should Alfie have been dusted down for the 2004 audience? Well the answer is no. But why? Well, to analyse this we have to go back to the beginning and what Alfie was in Caine's day. Alfie was a man about town stuck in the poor end of London, sleeping his way through a never ending supply of 'birds' while fighting his working class shackles. Back then women were not the powerful sex they are today, at least not on the cinema screen, and were happy to get Alfie's dinner and scrub his floors. Now lets look at Jude Laws Alfie, living in present day New York, and sleeping with a seemingly never ending amount of stunners, who all seem to be getting as much out of him as he gets out of them. And so what's he got to fight against? Not his surroundings (he's in glamorous Manhattan) and his job isn't that bad (still a driver, but look at the perks), and he even likes the kid of one of his girlfriends. And so he's a nice guy, and there is problem 1, bang goes Alfie's cold side. And so what we are left with is a man who lives in New York and finds it hard to commit. Hardly a rare phenomenon. Problem number 2 is the original Alfie movie's use of the shock factor. Denholm Elliott turning up to do a back street abortion was enough to make some walk out the cinema in 1966. In this film the subject of abortion, although delicately handled, has lost it's cinematic impact, which is no doubt due to the three decades that has passed between films. And so we come to problem number 3, the films flaw being that the Alfie of today is simply not as relevant to the Alfie of yesterday. Today we have 'Sex and the City', empowered women, whom one can't help but feel would eat Alfie up alive. Indeed, the film would be more realistic if the lead was a female, although that would send traditionalists (like myself) running up the nearest tree. The makers of this re-make obviously think that illnesses has to be stepped up, and so while Caine's Alfie was given shadows on his lung to make him give pause, Law's Alfie gets a lump on his…erm…'Big Ben' (I hope to God that's not the new word for it) But what about performances? Well, Law as Alfie is fine, giving emotion where its needed, although his performance does not bounce along like Caines did. When Caine spoke to the camera, immediately breaking the fourth wall and bonding with the audience, it was the height of cool, when Law does the same it feels cheesy, and like cheese, it soon starts to grate. Susan Sarandon, as the sexy older woman, certainly fulfils her characters description, while Sienna Miller gives a promising portrayal as a young women who looks like a young Marianne Faithful (circa 1965) minus her Rolling Stone. And so the blame for the films failure cannot be left at its actors doors, nor its director. The film is simply a victim of its time. Alfie belongs in the sixties, when the world (or London at least) was swinging. Right now the only thing swinging is the cinema doors, and that's because I've just left.
45 out of 83 people found the following review useful: If you haven't seen the original..., 21 October 2004 Author: dgordy from Calif.
... as I haven't (FAR too young when it originally came out!), and can judge the movie without preconceptions, it's actually quite, quite good. From others' comments, I believe this should be called a reconception rather than a remake - and face it, if they followed the original, time-bound character/plot, it really WOULDN'T work today - so there is no sense in decrying that this isn't slavish to the Caine version. On its own terms, the movie is very stylish, with excellent cinematography, directing and editing, and the acting is top-notch across the board [For Broadway aficionados, look for Tony winners Jefferson (I Am My Own Wife) Mays as the Doctor and Hairspray's Dick Latessa as Joe]. Law is disarmingly charming as Alfie, and that goes a long way in selling the character, and making his attitude towards women somewhat tolerable. Of the women, Sarandon {looking incredible for 58! ... and delivering her final coup de grace with devilish elan], Long, Krakowski and especially (surprisingly?) Law's current squeeze Miller all make strong impressions. Tomei is OK, but is really neither attractive or special enough to justify Law's interest in her [and his fixation on her young son is a little creepy/unbelievable for such a womanizer]. The substitution of the interracial dalliance with Long for the abortion is a stroke of genius, as it will probably have the same 'shocking' effect for some in the audience. Yes, the direct address is a little jarring at times, but is necessary and DOES follow the original.On the minus side, the Mick Jagger/Dave Stewart music DOESN'T work, but Joss Stone's remake of the title song is effective. If you can forget, or better yet, haven't seen the original to compare this version to, I think you will find it a very entertaining, relevant movie (compared to most Hollywood remake dreck). I wouldn't even be surprised to find this garnering quite a few Oscar noms (given this year's weak field) come the end of the year... Give it a chance.
8 out of 11 people found the following review useful: Loved It!, 11 April 2005 Author: (fandangonoir) from USA
Bravo! A remake that tops the original! I loved this movie. Kudos to Charles Shyer, Jude Law, and screenwriter Elaine Pope for making this awesome movie! Sure, I wish Michael Caine could have played the role of Joe and Shirley Winters had played Alfie's neighbor, but other than that I totally dug the film.Oh! And too bad the Rolling Stones didn't do the music. Sure, Mick Jagger and Dave Stewart did a great job, but if the Stones had done the music? Man! That woulda been ultra awesome! But yeah, this is a great story of a pretty boy Englishman ladies man and his trials and tribulations in modern day Manhattan! Great new setting for the remake! I think Alfie should have driven a motorcycle. A Rune. Other than his Vespa. I think the Vespa worked. But it wasn't ballsy enough I think. Still, it worked for the retro 60's vibe they were going for.The rest of the cast is perfect. Nia Long and Omar Epps are perfectly cast. And Jude Law? Whoa, this is one of his best performances. And Alfie's words about F.B.B. -- face, boobs, bum! And how those things are what matter most to men. Too true.And Jane Krakowski was great in her role. The scene where she is in the limo. It had a kind of S&M feel to it with her hands in those straps. And man, her legs! Awesome! She is smokin' hot! You see just a bit of her naked bum in a shot where she walks off to meet her husband Phil the Pill after saying bye to Alfie. Hmmmmmmmm. Hot stuff.This is more of a guy flick than a chick flick. Hell, a story about a guy getting women left and right? Now that's a dick flick! HA! I liked lots of little details about this film. Alfie's relationship with Julie and the scene where she makes him a late night dinner of chili and French bread. Yum! And Alfie selecting his wardrobe of Gucci and pink shirt at the start of the film. I could never wear that color but it works in this flick! And the ending. Man! Heartbreaking, tragic and magic! A guy who is doomed. But maybe there is some hope for him. Maybe. And! This is probably the old Charles Shyer directed film I've ever loved.Old habits die hard. As does the memory of this great movie.
13 out of 21 people found the following review useful: I don't depend on nobody and nobody depends on me..., 28 April 2005 Author: Andy (film-critic) from Bookseller of the Blue Ridge
Oh, what a powerful film the original Alfie was. What amazing creativity, themes, and structure it had! It was enjoyable to watch because Caine has this uncanny ability to bring you into his world. He is so calm and "everyday" that Alfie's words pull you into the screen and allow you to become involved with his life. I only wish this could have been true with this disastrous remake. Jude Law attempts at every angle possible to bring that pizazz that Caine brought to the screen, but ultimately fails in every attempt. While Caine, in the original, felt like he could have represented you or I, Law in this film, feels like he is ripped from the pages of Vogue or In Style magazine. You know that point in a magazine where you feel that the ads featuring models wearing clothes that you will never fully appreciate seem to clutter the pages instead of articles? Well, that is exactly what this remake felt to me. Instead of a powerful story being the central focus of the film, we were bombarded, nearly drowned, in model-esquire images of the people of NYC and how only the very beautiful are attracted to the very beautiful. Coupled with cinematography that feels like a super-budged GAP ad, I could only squint as my stomach hurled with disgust."What's it all about, Alfie?" A simple question that is the central focus of the first film, while in this pathetic remake, it is never disclosed until the very end. Why did this film suffer? First of all, Jude Law is no Michael Caine. He doesn't have that "every man" sort of appeal that dragged me into the film. I never really felt like he was talking to me, but instead trying to maneuver his way into the mantra of the female audience. That was a huge problem for me as well, in the original, Caine talks to the men of the audience, while in the remake, Law attempts to gain sympathy from the females in the audience. Law just cannot seem to capture the ideals of Alfie. He is a womanizer, I know that, but there are more layers to this character than just that. Sadly, Law brought none of them out. Even at the end, I never felt as if there was a final moment of realization or symbolic referencing. "What was it all about?" The original, I could tell you, for this remake, it seemed a bit fuzzy and dislocated. I don't know what it was about except a man not committed to anything glides through life with a smile somehow still located on his face. Perhaps it wasn't just Law's work, but also the ladies that accompanied him. These are women that the average man will never meet, or ever encounter. So, how could we relate to the story? Marisa Tomei, Susan Sarandon, Nia Long, and even Sienna Miller seemed to give glamorized renditions of hurt women. The original was about Alfie, but several believe that the staples to the story were the women that surrounded him. I can honestly say that the staples to this film were not the women, because Jude Law hailed top billing. Did the director even see the original? I would like to address the issue of whether this was a remake or just an "updated" version of the original Alfie. My answer is that it is a remake that crashes considerably when you place the two films together. My biggest issue with this remake was that it addressed nothing. In the original film, it was apparent from the first 30 minutes of the movie that Alfie was a troubled man who carried trouble on his back and deposited trouble to each one of his encounters. One might even say victims. Was it a sign of the times or something that is inherent in the female species that lead to the destruction of so many hopes and dreams? The 60's were a time of floundering economically and politically for most of the world. Did Alfie seize on the free-sex, free love atmosphere that became prevalent during that time or were his predatory skills developed much earlier in his life? Alfie wasn't strong enough a character to go into self-destruct alone. The weakness of his character insisted that he bring everyone down with him. Just as in the animal kingdom the predator preys on the victim that is unsuspecting, most vulnerable and most importantly the victim who cannot hurt him. He must always stay insulated from the outside world. Yet, in the remake, I saw nothing of the sort. I saw random chaos where Hollywood regained our sympathy by making our lead character this "can never be mad at Jude Law". Not living in NYC or in a place where models walk around on the streets, nor a frequent viewer of Vogue magazine, I didn't find the appeal of subtle themes of this film at all. Alfie goes through the motions as he does in the original, but there is considerable chunk of life missing.Overall, this was a very disappointing remake. The music just didn't seem to carry that same charm that the original did, nor did the rest of the cast. This was not an art film, but instead a Hollywood creation that lacked the appeal of the original. It was created to boost some sex appeal for Jude Law instead of showing this radical vision of our world. Alfie is genuine in the original, and quite plastic in this remake, which ultimately hurt the overall impression of the film. Those that say that you cannot compare the original and this remake together because they are two separate films, I would completely disagree with. This Alfie was a remake and was poorly put together while the original was, "powerful, humorous, yet pointed story".Grade: ** out of *****
12 out of 20 people found the following review useful: It's fresh, colourful and funny, 23 November 2004 Author: max-rupert from London
What's it all about? (opening line from the original-movie 1966)"Alfie" is a remake of the 1966 British film that made an international star of Michael Caine. It takes a story very much associated with a particular time and place -- London in the swinging '60s -- and successfully transplants it to modern-day New York City. The cockney lothario played by Caine has been turned into a working-class British émigré played by Jude Law, who makes Alfie a bit less cockney and a bit more self-aware.Alfie's a smooth talking Londoner in New York who does his very best to avoid succumbing to the dreaded 'c' word commitment. Along the way, we're introduced to some of his ladies on the go – Dorie, Julie, Liz and Nikki, to name but a few. Like the earlier "Alfie," it's the story of a sexually promiscuous man. Alfie (Law), a chauffeur, lives in a small Manhattan apartment and dedicates his life to seducing women. Talking directly into the camera, and preening with a self-satisfaction so complete as to seem a form of innocence, he expounds on clothes, the proper application of cologne and the various rules he employs in his libidinous pursuits. His goal, it seems, is to have sex with as many women as possible but to get close to none of them.Each one starts off as a fling, but somehow manages to influence Alfie's life. He slowly starts to realize that he is actually alone and that there is more to life than what he has done so far. Like the earlier "Alfie," the new version could be called a cautionary tale, about a way of life that leads to the existential confusion embodied in the famous catchphrase, "What's it all about?" Anyone we know in it? Jude Law is fresh and funny as Alfie, with just the right amount of smug attitude. The stunning Sienna Miller is the beautiful but 'damaged' Nikki, and Susan Sarandon sizzles as the sexy older woman, Liz. There's also Marisa Tomei (Julie), Nia Long (Lonette) and Omar Epps plays Alfie's best friend, Marlon.Would I recommend it? Definitely. Although remakes do not usually come through smelling of roses, this one does. It's fresh, colourful and funny. Jude Law is magnificent, introducing us to a slightly warmer side of Alfie than Michael Caine.
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: fashionable, 27 December 2008 Author: ruiresende84 (ruiresende84@gmail.com) from Porto, Portugal
Two remarks on the quite good experience this film is: -one is the visual aspect of the thing. This is a visual tapestry, each scene has its own visual strenght, and could actually be enjoyed on its own, but all together they make an impression on you. Every affair in Alfie's life has its own visual treatment, according to the mood of it. Colours, and camera work are elements taken care of. Watching the extras, one gets the impression that artistic values were something in the minds of theses guys, but i'll credit Ashley Rowe a great deal for what was done here. The colours are something in the line of what Chris Doyle might do. IT's interesting how Jude Law fits well this kind of photography, we saw him in similar situation in the recent 'my blueberry nights'.-the other thing is the story telling device. I haven't seen the original, so i may be commenting on something that happens already in that one, but i would bet not. Alfie speaks to the camera, he speaks to us. He denounces the staging all this is, and the artificiality of cinema in itself (lush, but artificial photography underlines this). The film is episodic in its nature, every women is an episode, but we know Alfie is our narrator, as we get every feeling directly from his mouth. Jude Law is a very interesting actor, one of the good actors we have these days, and he delivers, he knows how little dramatic and exaggerated he has to be in order to make this work. The success of this strategy is to make us assume Law's words as a dialog between him and us, instead of a monologue like, say, Depp in 'The Libertine'. Jude Law knows it, he pauses the speech, and intonate as if he was chatting, instead of narrating. Very good.Jude Law is a character in himself, even through fashion. In this film he was at the beginning of a relation with Sienna Miller, they're seen in a collection of clips reading Vogue together. This is no innocent. Actually it is a very clever way to build they're own public personalities out screen.Oh and we have a story. A playboy, single man, with his life centered on women, searching for true affection, living love as episodes and suffering from the consequences of his irresponsibility. It's a mere excuse to unfold visual storytelling. Some women, though are interesting. We have Tomei, we have Miller, we have Sarandon, who, though being limited as an actress, is well placed in the film.My opinion: 4/5 http://www.7eyes.wordpress.com
3 out of 4 people found the following review useful: Alpha Beta material!, 13 May 2005 Author: meeza (themeezaman@hotmail.com) from Miami, Fl
Jude Law stars as the lothario Alfie in the remake of the classic swaggering film which Michael Caine received a Best Actor nomination back in 1966. However, many critic pundits questioned Jude Law starring as Alfie on the remake of the classic film. They asked such questions as: Is it unlawful for Jude to try to duplicate the mastery of Caine? Is it unlawful for Jude to appear in yet another film in 2004? (Law appeared in 6 films in 2004) and Is it unlawful to cast who People Magazine selected as the sexiest man on earth as the womanizing British cad in New York? Hey, Jude! In my opinion, you have committed no unlawful cinematic crime. Your performance as Alfie was as vigorous and suave as they come! "The talking to the audience" bit as he plans out his next female conquest or dumpation was marvel cinematic magic. The hell with Superman or Batman, "Alfie" is a true marvel comic superhero. The women of "Alfie" were the tasty dishes of Fettuccini "Alfieredo". Nia Long, Marisa Tomei, Jane Krakowski, Sienna Miller, and the ageless Susan Sarandon were quite appetizing with their performances. Director Charles Shyer did the "shyer" thing by casting Law as Alfie. Writer Bill Naughton's naughty script was "Alfieboloso"; as whimsical as they come! So get struck by Alfie! Watch it today! It is one of the most entertaining films I have ever seen! ***** Excellent
13 out of 24 people found the following review useful: As remakes go - I've seen worse, 23 December 2006 Author: mjw2305 from England
Jude Law undoubtedly captures the character of Alfie, the carefree playboy womaniser. Although not as good as the original, this remake is pretty good.Packed with sexy women, Alfie takes us on a journey through his life of fun, excitement, disappointment and hurt and Jude Law's performance is truly top-notch, so much so you can't help but love his character, in-spite of his shallow morales.With a limited appeal, Alfie certainly targets a specific audience, all of whom probably need to be Jude Law fans to begin with.Alfie is a film that you could easily hate, but I was compelled from the opening scene to the end, and I found beneath all the cold hearted antics a heart warming story and character that was good fun to watch.7/10
117 out of 232 people found the following review useful: OutLaw, 7 January 2005 Author: Donald Agustamarian from London, England
I saw Jude Law for the first time on Broadway on an adaptation of a Jean Cocteau play. He was a stunner. You could see his future even from where I was sitting, one of the cheapest sits at the back of the theatre. Then "Gattaca" a poor film that Jude Law's presence alone awarded some sort of cult status. Other films with the likes of Jeanne Moreau, David Cronnenberg, Jenifer Jason Leigh. All good stuff, all seem to confirm my original impression. Then, "Wilde" and "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and I thought -- Amazing, we haven't had an actor like this, ever. Forget about his beauty, if you can, and concentrate in his mind boggling range. In Mr. Ripley the film never recovers from his death and in "Wilde" you understand, you actually understand Oscar Wilde, losing absolutely everything for him. He introduced the only entertaining moments in "Artificial Intelligence" and then, something happened, too many films and not too much judgement. In "Cold Mountain" he didn't have the epic scope that, in my modest opinion, the character required. In "Road to Perdition" he indulges in a shallow show off performance overshadowed by a theatrical costume and rotten teeth. But "Alfie" is, quite simply, unforgivable. Not a moment of truth, not a moment of charm, not a moment of beauty. The three elements that brought Jude Law up this moment. I left the theatre more than disappointed, I left angry because I recognised the symptoms of a potentially, mythological career, in real danger. I hope Jude Law sees the light, unless he is satisfied with the Troy Donohue award. If that's the case, well, he already got it. "Alfie" got it for him.
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