Review of:Alfie (2004)
Director:Charles Shyer
Rating:R for sexual content, and some language and drug use
Starring:Jude Law, Sienna Miller, Susan Sarandon, Marisa Tomei, Omar Epps
I am sure that if you have been around the right places that you have run into characters like Alfie before. Their M.O. usually goes along the lines of these requirements: good looking‚ sharp dressers‚ witty‚ and maybe on top of that they have the personality that saves them from the moral implications of their actions. The film Alfie is the perfect representation of this lifestyle‚ and Director Charles Shyer does an excellent job in letting the story and Alfie grow before our eyes.
Now let me say that this film is a remake‚ and I’m sure there will be comparisons drawn between this one‚ and the one that starred Michael Caine almost forty years ago. That is where the comparison should end‚ since this film deals with woman of this era.
Alfie (Jude Law) is a British man set in the trappings of a bustling New York City. He represents what most would agree is a playboy the world over‚ and the film is full of Alfie clueing us in on his tainted philosophy of what the world is. We are brought into Alfie’s world at the end of one of his relationships‚ but the most telling relationship he has is with Julie (Marisa Tomei). It is in this relationship that you quickly recognize the short coming’s of Alfie’s philosophy. Alfie is not satisfied with what he has and he is always looking over the horizon for that person that will bring total satisfaction to himself. Nevertheless, like momma use to tell me‚ you have to love yourself before you can love anyone else.
The power of the film Alfie is that Jude Law takes the character from a somewhat likeable person to one that you only feel pity for by the end of the film. Just from my own experiences in the world I can say that there are plenty of Alfie’s out there. How else could you explain so many fatherless children in this world? It is this finger on the pulse of truth that I liked.
Alfie is a relationship film that has a lot to say‚ and a very unique way of saying it. Half of Alfie’s dialogue is directed straight at the camera‚ and at you. I figure they did this so some sort of greater connection would be made to the character Jude Law portrays. Instead of sitting in amazement of his actions‚ the audience knows exactly what Alfie is thinking‚ or at least the lie he has told himself to get through whatever escapade he is in.
The film is a classic examination of a man who has a lot to offer‚ but does not have enough intestinal fortitude to notice it for himself.
