by Karen Louise Hollis

Created on: September 07, 2010

Alfie was released in 2004 and stars English actor Jude Law in the title role. The lasting impression of Alfie is a rather sexy Jude Law smiling charmingly into the camera, but is there more to it than just a handsome leading actor?

The 1966 version of the film starred Michael Caine. Having read a few online interviews with Jude and director Charles Shyer, they seem to have to answer criticisms of ‘dumbing down’ Alfie’s original character. Caine’s Alfie was misogynistic, using women and discarding them cruelly. Law’s Alfie is softer, but he argues that today’s world means he has to be more of a charmer for women to be taken in by him.

Jude Law’s portrayal of Alfie is a good one. He is a smooth talker; he gets away with anything by a quick flash of his ultra-cute grin and a quick quip. He dresses well and takes care of his appearance. He is appealing to women and who can blame them? Of course, there is another side to him and one which becomes more apparent as the movie goes on. The method of using ‘asides’ is employed effectively here. From the start, Alfie confides in his audience, voicing his motivations to the camera, drawing you into his confidence. While being critical of his actions, you can’t help but admire him in a warped way. He goes for what he wants and usually gets it.

For the viewer, the first time you can see the bad behind the façade of good is when he has sex with his best friend’s ex-girlfriend. This one selfish incident begins a chain of events which eventually make Alfie realise just how much his thoughtless lust has cost him.

On one level, Alfie would be the envy of many men. He has a regular girlfriend, Julie (Marisa Tomei) who is a single mom and initially content to have him turn up when he feels like it. He also has a string of regular lovers like Dorie (Jane Krakowski) – a glamorous bored wife he regularly picks up in his taxi - the back of his taxi, to be precise!

When he meets a long-haired blonde – Nikki (played by the beautiful Sienna Miller) - on Christmas Eve, he decides he doesn’t want to spend the festive season alone and moves her in – until he gets bored, of course. He loves being in control, he doesn’t know anything different. He calls the shots, writes the rules and discards his women when he feels like it.

One day, he drives a wealthy middle-aged couple out on a shopping spree in an expensive boutique. The

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