what's it all about?
A and I saw Alfie in the cinema last night, and it was enjoyable, if you don't think too hard about it. For those who are out of the loop, Alfie is a remake of the 1960s classic starring Michael Caine as, well, a womanising wanker who refers to his female conquests as 'it' and dumps them as soon as they display any signs of neediness. Jude Law, our modern-day commitment-phobe, is a Londoner transplanted in Manhattan (gorgeously shot during the holiday season), who wears fancy Gucci suits, zips off on his Vespa as soon as his latest victim gets clingy, and shags anyone with (a nice pair of) legs.Given the fact that Alfie is a prick, it is surprising how Jude Law is so deftly able to turn him into a moderately loveable creature (due mostly to the fact that aside from the sharp suits and beautiful women, he really is pathetic and you do start feeling rather sorry for him). The supporting cast is wonderful - Marisa Tomei, a lovely single mother and Alfie's quasi-girlfriend; Susan Sarandon, an older woman whom Alfie seduces; Sienna Miller (Jude Law's real life girlfriend) as the far-too-loose nightclubber; and Nia Long, who really does give a standout performance. The best scenes in the film, and also the most heartwrenching, are her scenes.
The film has several good points - the supporting cast, deft dialogue, good pacing, and a hilarious scene involving a topless Sienna Miller chopping a zucchini. On the other hand, most of it is utter rubbish. Since when do limousine drivers get paid so much as to afford crisp designer suits and live the sort of lifestyle Alfie does? ("I'm a blessed man," he smirks at the beginning of the film.) Given the subject matter of the film, it was surprisingly short on sex, except for a scene at the beginning with a rich Jane Krakowski relieving her boredom in the backseat of Alfie's limo. I won't even get into the horrendous, offensive portrayal of the only two Asian characters in this film. Should I have expected anything else, really?
But the film's fundamental problem is this. When it was first released in the 1960s, it caused an uproar, what with the blatant womanising and virtual slap in the face of gender equality. Is there anything that will make it as special as the original, if it's set in the noughties? The answer is - not really.
"What's it all about?" Alfie asks at the end of the film. He discovers that relationships in the 21st century are all about commitment and fidelity. Gee, it doesn't take a genius to figure that one out. Oh well - at least we get delicious eye candy for a couple of hours.
L'Esthete @ 18:57
