Alfie (2004)

A cockney womanizer learns the hard way about the dangers of his actions.

Director:

Charles Shyer

Writers:

Bill Naughton (play), Bill Naughton (earlier screenplay)

Stars:

Jude Law, Sienna Miller, Susan Sarandon

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jude Law	...	Alfie
Renée Taylor	...	Lu Schnitman (as Renee Taylor)
Jane Krakowski	...	Dorie
Jeff Harding	...	Phil
Marisa Tomei	...	Julie
Kevin Rahm	...	Terry
Max Morris	...	Max
Omar Epps	...	Marlon
Nia Long	...	Lonette
Gedde Watanabe	...	Wing
Jo Yang	...	Mrs. Wing
Tara Summers	...	Carol
Sam Vincenti	...	Felix
Katherine LaNasa	...	Uta
Claudette Mink	...	Bitter Girl

Storyline

Finding it hard to finally settle down and commit himself to only one woman, the unrepentant philanderer and undeniable ladies' man, Alfie, is a charming British who cruises the streets of New York as a limousine chauffeur. In his impeccable suits, the silver-tongued Casanova is simply irresistible; however, things will take an unexpected turn, when a night of unrestrained passion seriously tests Alfie's frivolous approach to life. In the end, is Alfie happy, and above all, what's it all about, then?

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Plot Keywords:

name in title | male name in title | male objectification | tank top | man wearing a tank top | 

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Taglines:

Meet a man who never met a woman he didn't love.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content, some language and drug use

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 November 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled Alfie Remake

Filming Locations:

Tavern on the Green - Central Park at W. 67th Street, Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,314,156 (United Kingdom), 24 October 2004, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,218,335, 7 November 2004, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$13,399,812

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$35,150,546

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Patalex Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Susan Sarandon gave pictures of herself in the 1970s to British artist Russell Oxley, who used them to paint an acrylic portrait of her character, supposedly from that era. After filming, the canvas went home with Sarandon.

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Goofs

When Alfie and Marlon are sitting in a bar and Carol stands at their table, Alfie's sitting position changes.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Alfie: You're lucky you know. I rarely allow anyone into my flat.

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Crazy Credits

The producers wish to thank residents and businesses of Northern Quarter Manchester

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Connections

References The Murder in the Museum (1934)

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Soundtracks

Let's Make It Up
(2004)
Written by Mick Jagger & David A. Stewart
Performed & Produced by Mick Jagger & David A. Stewart (as Dave Stewart)

User Reviews

It's fresh, colourful and funny

What's it all about? (opening line from the original-movie 1966)

"Alfie" is a remake of the 1966 British film that made an international star of Michael Caine. It takes a story very much associated with a particular time and place -- London in the swinging '60s -- and successfully transplants it to modern-day New York City. The cockney lothario played by Caine has been turned into a working-class British émigré played by Jude Law, who makes Alfie a bit less cockney and a bit more self-aware.

Alfie's a smooth talking Londoner in New York who does his very best to avoid succumbing to the dreaded 'c' word commitment. Along the way, we're introduced to some of his ladies on the go – Dorie, Julie, Liz and Nikki, to name but a few.

Like the earlier "Alfie," it's the story of a sexually promiscuous man. Alfie (Law), a chauffeur, lives in a small Manhattan apartment and dedicates his life to seducing women. Talking directly into the camera, and preening with a self-satisfaction so complete as to seem a form of innocence, he expounds on clothes, the proper application of cologne and the various rules he employs in his libidinous pursuits. His goal, it seems, is to have sex with as many women as possible but to get close to none of them.

Each one starts off as a fling, but somehow manages to influence Alfie's life. He slowly starts to realize that he is actually alone and that there is more to life than what he has done so far.

Like the earlier "Alfie," the new version could be called a cautionary tale, about a way of life that leads to the existential confusion embodied in the famous catchphrase, "What's it all about?"

Anyone we know in it? Jude Law is fresh and funny as Alfie, with just the right amount of smug attitude. The stunning Sienna Miller is the beautiful but 'damaged' Nikki, and Susan Sarandon sizzles as the sexy older woman, Liz. There's also Marisa Tomei (Julie), Nia Long (Lonette) and Omar Epps plays Alfie's best friend, Marlon.

Would I recommend it? Definitely. Although remakes do not usually come through smelling of roses, this one does. It's fresh, colourful and funny. Jude Law is magnificent, introducing us to a slightly warmer side of Alfie than Michael Caine.