Post by saladfingers on Apr 10, 2005 21:38:21 GMT -5
I'm all about women, wine....... and women.
---------------------------------------------------
Jude Law stars in this trenchant dramatic-comedy, a remake of the 1966 British counterculture classic that launched the career of Michael Caine. This version is set in New York City and is pumped up with giddy, cleverly experimental editing. The story has Alfie (Law), a Don Juan-esque limo driver, speaking directly to the camera as he seduces the lovely ladies of the city. Eventually he's forced to take stock of the damage he's caused, and acknowledge the emptiness at the core of his chosen lifestyle. Playing the role of Alfie requires a fine balancing act from Law--he must be so charming that he seduces both the audience and himself, while also conveying the self-delusion and sadness at the character's core--and Law is up for the challenge, expertly conveying glimpses of the unfathomed depth beneath his polished shallowness. Equally good are his array of conquests, including Marisa Tomei as a single mom, Sienna Miller as a mood-swinging party girl, and Susan Sarandon as a rich older woman. A soundtrack by Mick Jagger and David Stewart (Eurythmics) adds liberal dollops of self-aware rock-and-roll melancholy. Dick Latessa is great as an old man who offers Alfie some sage advice, and Omar Epps plays the screwed-over limo driving buddy
---------------------------------------------------
My ratings:
Cast:
Story:
Jude Laws' mere presence in the film made it very very worth it. *sigh* Jude's charm made the character's bad behaviour please rather than repel.
In the film, Alfie talks directly to the camera, which is a rarity in movies today. This kind of approach has both its advantage and dis. It made the viewers a part of the movie, since Alfie made it look like he freely indulges his utmost secrets to us. And isn't it soooooooo knee-weakening when Jude Law stares at you from the movie screen and appears as if he's solely talking to you? Haaaay it made my insides turn to Jell-O. But then there's also times when you wish Jude just act conventionally, because there are scenes when talking to the camera makes it as if the character takes the situation he is in very lightly. But hey, the pros always outweigh the cons whenever super gorgeous guys are involved.
Story-wise, the film seems to be lacking something. I don't exactly know what it is, but the ending leaves you hanging. Although it mantains poetic justice at it's conclusion, the scene still seems stale. Blah. But don't let my opinion discourage you, go see the movie for yourselves.
I'll let you in on a little trivia, the super hot chick who plays Nicky/Nikki is Jude's real life beau. *sigh* Talk about getting lucky.
Screencaps:
*Nikki's that blonde hottie. Fucking lucky. Psh.