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Back Shelf Beauties
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Alfie I want to see it again in my local movie theater. When it comes out on DVD, I'm buying it. And, I'm running off to the record store to buy the soundtrack on CD as soon as I finish writing this review. Yeah, I liked Alfie, and it's the best Jude Law movie of the year (out of all 600 he has been in!). Jude Law stars as Alfie - a devil-may-care, charming, debonair rogue who bounces from woman to woman and bed to bed in Manhattan. He isn't looking for Miss Right. Alfie is perfectly happy with a string of meaningless affairs and some special attention from his, "semi-regular, quasi-girlfriend," Julie (Marisa Tomei). Of course, trouble arises when Julie decides she wants something more. Does Alfie want more? Will he learn his lesson? I couldn't get enough of this movie. Alfie is one of the best movies I have seen all year, and Jude Law should get another Oscar nomination (but he'll lose). Led by a witty, biting, sharp script from Elaine Pope and co-writer/director Charles Shyer (based on the original from Bill Naughton), Law gives one of the most captivating performances I have ever seen on screen. He engages the audience in a conversation about his choices, life, desires and more in a series of monologues that show us Alfie warts and all. One minute, you love him. The next minute, you can't believe his heartlessness, but Law always keeps you guessing and wondering about his motivations. With a lesser actor, Alfie would be a villain, but Law makes him into the bad boy all the good girls lust after, and all the good boys want to be like. Even when Alfie loses control and faces horrible consequences for his actions, Law is amazing and takes us into the depths of his despair, which redeems the character for anyone who hates him. And, when he has that devilish twinkle in his eye, Law makes Alfie into an irresistible, charming flirt. Unlike many male characters in movies today, he isn't pure evil, and he isn't an oaf, but he's a man who makes mistakes. Of course, Alfie is nothing without the ladies, and this movie is full of good ones. While Sienna Miller is passable, Nia Long, Marisa Tomei and Susan Sarandon are very good. Tomei makes us understand Julie's frustration and love for Alfie especially with her piercing, hurt, soulful and determined looks. Long gives us a chance to see Alfie's bad side as her character, Lonette, interacts with the lothario at his worst and might be the only woman who is a match for him, as well as showing us the character's strength in a key scene. While Sarandon, through her character, Liz, helps show us how Alfie is getting taken down a peg. The trio does exactly what each one needs to, without letting Law's tremendous performance upstage them. As the director, Shyer also gives Alfie its great vibe. The movie is enthralling and exciting as Alfie lives the good life, poignant and touching when Alfie faces troubles, and never waivers from giving our hero his comeuppance when he deserves it. Shyer doesn't pull punches and gives Law space to create, while jazzing things up with some nice graphics, editing and interesting visual perspectives. Alfie is a great movie, and one I will never forget. 4 Waffles (Out Of 4) Copyright 2004 - WaffleMovies.com
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