“Like I always say, if they don’t get you one way, they’ll get you another.” —Alfie
Today’s quick review: Alfie. Alfie Elkins (Jude Law) has been going through a rough patch. After breaking up with Julie (Marisa Tomei), he sleeps with Lonette (Nia Long), the girlfriend of his best friend Marlon (Omar Epps), and gets her pregnant. To put his problems out of his mind, he strikes up a passionate yet unstable relationship with Nikki (Sienna Miller). But no matter what Alfie does, his selfish decisions leave him feeling empty.
Alfie is a romantic drama with comedic elements about a womanizer who refuses to settle down. Based on the Michael Caine film of the same name, Alfie follows Alfie Elkins through a series of amorous misadventures that put his hedonistic philosophy to the test. Through a pregnancy, a health scare, and countless short-lived relationships, Alfie tries to put a positive spin on things and keep his focus on what truly matters to him: himself.
Alfie paints a comprehensive portrait of a deeply flawed man, with mixed results. To the movie’s credit, its story covers a lot of ground, finding clever ways to put its main character through the wringer. At its best, it is an insightful look at the perks and personal costs of Alfie’s lifestyle. Jude Law makes for a solid lead, and his narration to the audience lets the movie indulge in some extensive introspection.
Alfie’s main weakness is that it relies a little too heavily on its protagonist. Everything about the movie’s setup depends on Alfie Elkins walking the fine line between charming and distasteful. The first-person narration, the stylized cinematography, and the omnipresent soundtrack all serve to play up Alfie as someone special. However, whenever the movie miscalibrates his charms, even by a little, the edifice collapses under its own weight.
Alfie explores some interesting themes, thanks to a robust main character and a clever set of challenges that make up the story. But the movie doesn’t quite thread the needle when it comes to its protagonist. It captures Alfie’s superficial charms and his deeper character flaws, but it never manages to balance the two in a satisfying way. The result is a drama that brings something worthwhile to the table but doesn’t live up to its full potential.
For a richer and more effective take on the same story, try the original version of Alfie. For a lighter romantic comedy about a ladies’ man who’s put to the test, try What Women Want or The Ugly Truth. For a more playful romantic comedy about a penitent womanizer, try Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. For a minimalistic drama about the torments of romance, try London.
[6.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375173/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for rich themes with flawed execution.