Alfie

Optimism, enthusiasm, narcissism, boasting. And suddenly, in the second half, none of it. What is sadder than losing the wit and speech of a corrected womanizer? And what is more boring than a freshly positive film turning into a moral lesson? Jude Law is cool and performs in a role written specifically for him. With a different screenwriter, I would want to see him like this all the time. (16.08.2005)

I have a weakness for Jude Law, so inevitably I can't tear down this film. Why would I do that when he is practically never out of the frame the whole time and he is a real joy to look at? To make matters worse, the role of the incorrigible womanizer fits him like a glove. The plot has a decent pace and Jude's final speech to the camera is simply unforgettable. Last but not least, I was blown away by the theme song "Old Habits Die Hard", co-written by Mick Jagger and Dave Stewart. (80%) (11.05.2021)

A few months from the life of a womanizer, or a one-man show for Jude Law and his best acting performance so far. Unfortunately, I haven't seen the original version with Michael Caine yet, but given the quality of this film, I dare say it's a successful remake. The film also has excellent visuals and good pacing. A great advantage are Alfie's women, who are not just a "nameless herd", but each of them is unique and well played. It is a pleasant surprise that towards the end of the film, it does not turn into a classic romantic comedy, but remains faithful to its tone throughout. Nevertheless, because of the reformed Alfie, the second half isn't as great as the cynical first half of the film. (13.01.2007)