December 23, 2004
Alfie
Dollared this one on Tuesday right before I went to the dentist and they filled a cavity. My right side of my mouth was numb for 5 hours and I couldn't eat anything. Grrrr.
But about the movie... hmm. I'm still trying to decide exactly what I thought of it. I haven't seen the original (shame on me) yet, so I have nothing to compare this one to. Alfie is a man who takes any opportunity he can get with women, but has trouble not hurting other people in the process. Slowly but surely, the women in his life start to disappear, he starts having health problems, and he starts to realize that maybe he wants something more to his life.
Jude Law is good, although I think the film may have been slightly too celebratory of his good looks. Susan Sarandon as a sexy older woman is simply creepy. Marissa Tomei as a "hot" woman isn't very believable.
It's a very standard plot, slightly obvious in its lesson, but then there were some creative touches, some cool music (scored by Mick Jagger), and it didn't seem as cliche as I imagined it would be.
I guess overall I'd give it a mild thumbs up. I'm not sure it will change anyone's life, but it's enjoyable enough.
Posted by wendytime at December 23, 2004 11:56 AM | TrackBackI saw this number a month or two ago and had about the same reaction. Jude Law was too likeable for the character he was playing. I also (shamefully) haven't seen the original, but I get the impression Michael Caine did not play him as positively as Law did, which seems better.
Everyone praised Sarandon but I don't get why someone like Alfie would be so into her. I thought the whole point of Tomei's character was that she was not hot, but maybe that was me trying to reconcile her presence. (And the first girl in the limo had a huge nose!)
So I enjoyed watching it (and wishing I had disposable income to spend on perfectly tailored bespoke suits) because Jude Law is fun to watch, but that turned out to be its main flaw.
Posted by: Jonathan on December 23, 2004 04:34 PM