Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with a little bit of hope for you die hard Michael Caine fans who have cringed at the thought of a remake of ALFIE. I've run a few reviews that have run from "Pretty good" to "They shouldn't have touched the original!" I'm pulling for this movie to work. I think Jude Law is one of the most charismatic and natural actors out there right now, so if anyone can pull it off it'd be him. We'll see!
Hey Harry
I saw this at work yesterday and i was REALLY suprised. I think Jude Law is a talented fella but he has starred in some films that i wasn't the biggest fan of. I thought i saw an iceberg ahead when i heard that the classic 1966 Michael Caine film 'Alfie' was being rejigged and overhauled for a modern audience - (let's not forget the atrocity that was the 'Get Carter' remake) but lo and behold this 2004 version of Bill Naughton's original script actually sticks true to the style and humour of the original - and subsequently it went completely against my expectations.
Alfie (Jude Law) is a cockney limo driver working and living in Manhattan (the original was set in London but the change doesn't really cause the film to suffer at all). He's also a relentless sexual predator. His frequent chats to camera (just as Caine did in the original) are very funny in their outrageous bluntness about his rampant taste for shagging, using and inevitably dumping woman (he often refers to women as 'it', and in one scene utters devillishly charming compliments to one particular older women, then turns to camera to tell us what a "tub of lard" she is and saying how "her ship has already sailed so i might as well make her feel good"). His best friend Marlon (Omar Epps) is a more romantic individual, he's also a limo driver at the same company as Alfie and he pines for his recently deceased relationship with his 'one true love' Lonette (Nia Long.
The story follows Alfie as he beds horny and bored trophy wife Dorie (Alley McBeal's Jane Krakowski) and responsible, kind and trusting single mum Julie (Marisa Tomei) - using various women for what they can offer and only considering his own feelings before others - basically being a narcissistic womaniser. An unappealing character? Definitely. But just as Caine did in the original, Law is utterly delightful - (that's not a word i use often to describe an actor) but he really makes Alfie that likeable a fellow despite his reprehensible behaviour.
An unexpected medical problem and *SPOILER* an unplanned encounter with Marlon's 'true love' Lonette gives Alfie pause for thought and a moment of clarity to see himself for the prick that he is *END SPOILER*.
He reconsiders his behaviour and sets about trying to change his ways - but the repercussions of his actions cause a multitude of problems to rear their ugly heads and soon Alfie has to face his womanising ways head on. The film does begin with a lighthearted carefree feel and a first time viewer will suspect 'romantic comedy' shanninigans afoot but it's very deceptive - as soon as Alfie begins his lifestyle altering the film shifts into a more dramatic gear with Alfie learning very hard life lessons and not being able to charm his way out of them. The focus of this film is not a romance between Alfie and a woman 'who turns him good and puts a stop his womanising' but it's focus is more on Alfie's growing awareness of the emptiness of his lifestyle - this hardened movie goer (and several cynical work colleagues) even found it moving at times - Nia Long, Epps, Tomei are all solid supporting players but it's Law, in possibly his most charismatic performance yet, that totally carries the film - making the audience really care about someone who we'd normally consider to be a heartless asshole.
Director Charles Shyer (Father of the Bride) suprised my expectations with a remake that is actually worthy of it's predecessor - at times offensive, harsh, cheeky, sly and endearing, - Law completely charms the shit out of the audience and all things considered if i knew someone like Alfie I'd probably smack him in the face - but Law makes you love him and that is no mean feat.
I highly recommend this film.
From what we've all been hearing about 'Sky Captain' - and after seeing this film, I think Law is realising his potential and will be THE leading man in the years to come.
Reading back on this it sounds like the work of a mastubatory studio plant but I assure you I was a hardened critic of this remake - until i saw it.
Brundlefly Out.
