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Continuing in the classic Michael Caine vein, I watched Alfie for the first time a month or two ago (still hoping these five-minute reviews will help me catch up). Caine still plays a womanizer in this one, but otherwise the movie couldn't possibly be more different from Get Carter. He doesn't like commitment and just wants to have fun, and he's quite picky and critical of the girls he's with. When he has a bit of a health scare, aging, and some of his past flings come back to haunt him, he starts to wonder if there might be something more to life.

I loved this movie. The natural way in which Caine speaks to the camera and directly tells us everything he's thinking is both amusing and an interesting way to get to know his character. The movie certainly wouldn't be as effective without it.

The light-hearted tone is balanced well with the more serious subject matter, but the movie doesn't flinch or feel awkward when the serious scenes do occur. The final act definitely packs a punch that I didn't expect when the movie first began.

It's been so long since I saw the movie that I wish I could reference some more specific scenes and details. I certainly loved Alfie's fling with Ruby, played by Shelly Winters. Overall, Caine has great presence and carries the screenplay perfectly.