Accomplished actor/good-looking guy Jude Law takes on new challenges in his lead role as the namesake in director Charles Shyer's remake of "Alfie." Alfie gives his philosophy on women and life throughout a movie that will have women questioning his morals and men wishing that they could be in his patent leather loafers.
Shyer is able to bring "Alfie," a reinvention of the 1960s classic starring Michael Caine, to new heights.
The film is about a man who knows what he wants: A new woman whenever he can get his hands on one. He roams the streets of New York City day in and day out on his scooter in search of his next willing sexual partner.
The way the film is shot is very unique. Alfie is shown as both the narrator and main character, and on occasion he will pause to look into the camera to let the audience really know how he feels about a specific woman. This keeps the crowd in tune and helps create a special association between Alfie and the viewer.
Alfie begins by getting acquainted with his viewers and explaining directly to them the sort of guy he is and what he represents.
"I treat all girls a tad bit differently, but all I care about is F.B.B.: Face, boobs, and bum," he says in his English accent. He walks over to his closet to pull out a pink shirt and a Gucci suit. He lets the guys know that it's okay to wear pink. And as for the Gucci suit? He says he got lucky and got it on sale.
Alfie keeps this movie in motion with his great one-liners, courtesy of writer Elaine Pope, a member of the former "Seinfeld" writing team.
"As a heat-seeking bachelor I myself subscribe more to the European philosophy of life, my priorities leaning towards random women," he says. "Although women and women are always a fine option."
In the back of the viewer's mind, Alfie is a jerk. But his charisma overwhelms the viewer the same way it does the ladies. He becomes Alfie, God's gift. Law pulls off the part well.
After numerous short-term relationships and a few one-night stands, Alfie realizes that there are times when he should have kept the dragon in its cage. Subsequently, during a prostate examination Alfie begins to question his life and where he is heading and sees that he is unable to settle down. He realizes that he only appreciates the superficialities in women, though he feels passing up sexual opportunity would be a shame as well.
There are many instances in the film that show slight changes in Alfie's mentality; such as his thoughts on women, which mature progressively through the course of the film.
Though Alfie is the focus of picture, the cast is a great ensemble. Marissa Tomei ("My Cousin Vinny") plays Alfie's nearly girlfriend-status hook-up. Susan Sarandon ("The Client"), who looks incredible for being middle aged, plays his older lover, and Omar Epps ("Juice") is Alfie's best friend.
One of the most incredible things about this film is that it may just be one of the first romance films in a long time that both men and women can enjoy equally. We're not dealing with that "Runaway Bride" business here. "Alfie" is in a league of its own and will have women in awe and have the young men in the audience taking notes.
Jude Law should definitely be applauded for his work in this film. He is an actor who has taken on very different roles in his career and, after his work in "Alfie," proves to be an artist that refuses to be typecast or pigeonholed.
