Alfie

Is every man an Alfie? Ask any girl!
Is every man an Alfie? Ask any girl!
ALFIE (15)
D: Lewis Gilbert
Paramount/Sheldrake (Lewis Gilbert)
UK 🇬🇧 1966
114 mins
 
Comedy/Drama
 
W: Bill Naughton [based on his play]
DP: Otto Heller
Ed: Thelma Connell
Mus: Sonny Rollins; Burt Bacharach
 
Michael Caine (Alfie), Vivien Merchant (Lily), Shelley Winters (Ruby), Millicent Martin (Siddie), Julia Foster (Gilda), Shirley Ann Field (Carla), Denholm Elliott (Abortionist)

Alfie is a Cockney ladykiller, seemingly proud of his sexual prowess with his commentary and narration.  His lifestyle is changed however when one of his conquests becomes pregnant during a time when the very subject of abortion was still very much taboo.
The movie is a powerful and frank statement on the casual sex lifestyle of the swinging sixties with a performance from it's lead star which made him the great actor he is today.
Remade in 2004 with Jude Law as the title character (see below), unfortunately it doesn't come anywhere close to the original.
There are some who say that it glamourises promiscuity and lad culture, but they're completely missing the point of the movie.
8/10

Michael Caine in Alfie
Michael Caine in Alfie
Did You Know:
The film cost only 500,000 dollars, about which director Lewis Gilbert famously quipped, that the sum was "the sort of money executives spend on cigar bills".

Award Wins & Nominations:


MILSTEAD MOVIE AWARDS:

Wins: none

Nominations: 6 (Best Picture; Best Actor in a Leading Role; Best Actress in a Supporting Role; Best Ensemble Cast; Best Screenplay - Adaptation; Best Original Song)


OSCARS:

Wins: none

Nominations: 5 (Best Picture; Best Actor in a Leading Role; Best Actress in a Supporting Role; Best Screenplay - Adaptation; Best Original Song)


BAFTAS

Wins: 1 (Most Promising Newcomer)

Nominations: 5 (Best British Film; Best British Actor; Best British Screenplay; Best Cinematography; Best Editing)


OTHER WINS:

Golden Globes (Best Foreign Film); Cannes Film Festival (Jury Special Prize); Kansas City Film Critics (Best Actor); National Board of Review (Top 10 Films of the Year; Best Supporting Actress); National Society of Film Critics (Best Actor)



What's it all about?
What's it all about?
ALFIE (15)
D: Charles Shyer
Paramount (Charles Shyer & Elaine Pope)
USA 🇺🇸 2004
106 mins
 
Comedy/Drama
 
W: Charles Shyer & Elaine Pope [based on the play by Bill Naughton]
DP: Ashley Rowe
Ed: Padraic McKinley
Mus: Mick Jagger, David A. Stewart & John Powell
 
Jude Law (Alfie), Marisa Tomei (Julie), Omar Epps (Marlon), Nia Long (Lonette), Jane Krakowski (Dorie), Sienna Miller (Nikki), Susan Sarandon (Liz), Renee Taylor (Lu Schnitman)

So, what is it all about? Since the entire point of the original movie is forgotten in this poor American remake of a British classic.
In the original, Michael Caine plays a misogynistic character who was still appealing sheerly due to his cheek and Jack-the-Lad charm.  Jude Law, however, is so smarmy and sexist, that it is practically impossible to find his character the least bit enchanting, especially in comparison to Caine's portrayal in the 1966 version.
The movie also seemed to be an excuse to release a soundtrack full of Mick Jagger-penned songs (Jagger himself being a 60's ladies man, how clever). Watch the original instead.
4/10

Jude Law in Alfie
Jude Law in Alfie
Did You Know:
Director Charles Shyer was inspired by the skinny suits that the Beatles wore in A Hard Day's Night (1964) for Alfie's wardrobe.

Award Wins & Nominations:


MILSTEAD MOVIE AWARDS:

Wins: none

Nominations: none

Worst of the Year: 2 Nominations (Worst Remake / Ripoff; Worst Original Song)


OSCARS:

Wins: none

Nominations: none


BAFTAS

Wins: none

Nominations: none


OTHER WINS:

Golden Globes (Best Original Song); Critics Choice Awards (Best Song); Gold Derby Awards (Best Song); International Online Cinema Awards (Best Song); Las Vegas Film Critics (Best Song); OFTA (Best Original Song); World Soundtrack Awards (Best Original Song)