Cast: Jude Law, Marisa Tomei, Omar Epps, Nia Long, Jane Krakowski, Sienna Miller and Susan Sarandon
Director: Charles Shyer
Studio Synopsis: The original Alfie captured a blend of romp and reality that was shocking and innovative in its time, and introduced a young Michael Caine to the world. In this contemporary re-invention, Alfie (Jude Law) is now an irresistible Londoner who has taken up residence in Manhattan, where he hopes to make his fortune—and make love to as many beautiful women as possible. The sophistication of New York City is the perfect setting for Alfie, who knows that when it comes to shagging birds, it’s all about one thing: "location, location, location." Surrounded by an abundance of gorgeousness and diversity, Alfie takes every opportunity to conquer all the women he can, whenever he can.
Rating: R
Running Time: 103 minutes
Official Web site: http://www.alfiemovie.com/
Trailer: http://www.alfiemovie.com/

Review: What’s it all about, this Alfie remake? Humanizing a callous, manipulating symbol of the darker side of 1960s sexual revolution, that’s what. The 1966 original took to task the womanizing ways of a handsome man about London town. Michael Caine earned international fame as the seductive but detached bachelor able to sweet talk the knickers off a nun. This 21st-century Alfie—now beguiling lonely single women and desperate housewives in New York City—is not the same conniving bastard who deserved his overdue comeuppance. Instead, Jude Law’s magnetic metrosexual comes across as a lovable and ultimately guilt-ridden cad worthy of our sympathy. Caine’s scornful behavior toward his prey induced disgust; Law’s bedroom antics warrants just a mild shake of the head. Sure, Alfie sleeps with his best pal’s ex-girlfriend and fools around on his single-mom part-time lover, but his conduct never seems shocking. Blame this on director Charles Shyer giving Law’s Alfie a conscience, something Caine’s antihero never possessed. The goal, obviously, is to make this Cockney Casanova less predatory and more attractive to women mesmerized by Law’s come-hither good looks. And Law is wonderfully dashing and naturally flirtatious as a weapon of mass seduction dressed in designer-label suits. No wonder the likes of Susan Sarandon, Marisa Tomei, Nia Long, Jane Krakowski and Sienna Miller—Law’s current real-life girlfriend—willingly and swiftly slip in between the sheets with Alfie. Law’s also effortlessly engaging when he launches into one of his numerous direct-to-the-camera monologues, a gimmick thankfully retained from the original Alfie. Shyer keeps the mood buoyant whenever Alfie’s on the prowl for sex in the city. Unfortunately, when Alfie’s luck falters, the film turns morose and pedantic. Shyer’s content to coast on Law’s considerable charm, but that’s not enough to make Alfie’s inevitable descent into self pity vaguely intriguing or poignant. But the remake’s biggest flaw is its transplantation from London in the Swinging Sixties. The original was a cruel commentary on its time and place. It lacked fear in tackling such controversial issues of the day as sexual promiscuity and backstreet abortions. The jazzy new Alfie exists in a feel-good world in which casual sex poses no possible health risk. It fails to make any connection between Alfie’s conquests and a post-9/11 New York. Consequently, this softer, gentler Alfie lacks any sense of relevancy. “Face, boobs, bum”—that’s all men want, Alfie tells his captive audience. And, sad to say, that’s pretty much all this Alfie is about.
—Robert Sims

Other Reviews:
Local 10 (3 1/2 stars)
The Miami Herald (3 stars)
Street Weekly (3 stars)
The Sun-Sentinel (2 1/2 stars)
Hollywood.com (2 stars)
The Palm Beach Post (B)