Alfie (2004) Movie Review: By David Wade

I have to admit and be completely honest I've not seen the original of this film! shame on me? well not really I can put aside and preconceptions or more to the point expectations, and judge this film on it's merit alone.

I'm sure many people are aware of the synopsis of this film, however I will fill you in on more of the background. We are spoken to though out the film my Alife, played by Jude law. This is done to much comical appeal alike Shakespearian plays, Alfie gives away many of his secrets, all of which will make many men (and women) agree and even give some pointers.

The scene is set in a modern day New York city suburb, Alfie has a job driving a hire a limo working for a comical Japanese man. He of course uses this as his mobile passion wagon, seducing all his female passengers to join him on the back seat. His other chosen method of transport a vespa? or lambretta (I'm not a moped man) suits his cool appeal, suited and booted in high fashion suits, who can resist our man.

Alife goes from one woman to the next, looking for his ideal partner his life seems a dream, but oh not until that fateful time of year for all single people.... Christmas holidays, yes even Alfie misses a firm relationship. Booted out by his regular lady friend his searches the city for a lone female to comfort him..... I'll not spoil too much of the story, but well here it all takes a turn for the worse.

I have to admit I thought that perhaps this was going to be a real lad's film, nope not in the slightest. The cinema had an even mix of couples, male and females and just even women and men alone.

I've heard a lot of bad things about Alfie, terrible reviews, critics slamming it, poor figures at the box office, all of this I discovered after the watching the film. I can't understand why? Well because I really enjoyed it, I laughed, winced, and almost cried. What a combination is this a lad's film or one not to take the girlfriend to see? Not in the slightest, I would recommend this to anyone who had loved somebody. I don't mean that in a soppy sense, but in a good sense, it's fresh and exciting take on that original film. Should I watch the original version? I don't plan on doing that, why? well why spoil a good film, I'd only compare it to this new remake, and well we live in the 21st century and well somethings never change...... what's it all about Alfie? go see and find out for yourself.

David Wade