"What's it all about, Alfie?" What indeed, for this modern day, mildly entertaining, update of the film that helped establish Michael Caine as a star, doesn't throw any fresh light on the well-worn subject of philandering and those who engage in such nefarious carry-on. An Englishman in New York, Jude Law plays our title character, a fashionable limo driver who's got more than a little time for the ladies. Unable to commit to a woman for more than a nanosecond (in case one with better attributes comes sashaying along), he, well, shags his way through life. Amongst his many conquests are single mom Julie (Tomei); Nikki (Miller); Dorie (Krakowski) and Liz (Sarandon). Somewhere along the way, however, our wide-boy narrator begins to wonder if this is all life has to offer.
Although it maintains the most recognisable device of the original (the direct-to-camera commentary), Alfie recklessly dispenses with the essential point of the exercise. Caine's title character was the very essence of a Casanova delusionist, wrapped in a facade of bravado, whereas the remake dictates that Law is too polished, too cultured to be an effective anchor. Quite aside from having more sex in two hours than most men manage in a decade, Law's Alfie never quite articulates what his plight actually is, with the ultimate morale feeling forced and hollow. Yes, it's ravishing to look at (Manhattan's not bad, either) and the jaunty style of the film is engaging - but by the time the final credits roll, you'll probably be echoing Alfie's thoughts.
