X
- 1966
- Approved
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 54 m
- 1966
- Approved
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 54 m
Summary An unrepentant ladies' man gradually begins to understand the consequences of his lifestyle.
Directed By: Lewis Gilbert
Written By: Bill Naughton
- 1966
- Approved
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 54 m
- 1966
- Approved
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 54 m
Alfie
70
User Score
Available after 4 ratings
tbd
Where to Watch
Summary An unrepentant ladies' man gradually begins to understand the consequences of his lifestyle.
Directed By: Lewis Gilbert
Written By: Bill Naughton
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
70
80% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
20% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
70
80% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
20% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The whole thing is played expertly by everyone in the large cast, and a lively jazz score and bright color make it seem much more casual than it is.
Michael Caine became a front rank star -- and actor -- when he played the title role in this smart, salty, subtly moving adaptation of Bill Naughton's play about a Cockney Casanova on the loose in Swinging London. [30 Jan 2000, p.41C]
ALFIE is a surprisingly successful exercise in dramatic irony: the title character, a charming mediocrity who fancies himself a ladykiller, delivers a running commentary on his tawdry sexual conquests and penny-ante criminal ambitions, cheerfully oblivious to an audience that knows more about him than he will ever know himself.
For all its implicit misogyny, the original 1966 film version of Bill Naughton’s play remains durable because of Michael Caine’s career-defining performance as the cockney ladies’ man, not to mention the memorable title tune (sung by Cher) and driving jazz score (written and performed by Sonny Rollins).
Alfie pulls few punches. With Michael Caine giving a powerfully strong performance as the woman-mad anti-hero, and with dialog and situations that are humorous, tangy, raw and, ultimately, often moving, the film may well shock. But behind its alley-cat philosophy, there's some shrewd sense, some pointed barbs and a sharp moral.
Good in parts, mainly due to the excellence of Vivien Merchant, Jane Asher, Julia Foster, Shirley Anne Field and Shelley Winters as his various conquests and, in a brief but memorable role, Denholm Elliott as a sad abortionist. [28 Mar 2010, p.57]
User Reviews
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Win & 7 Nominations
Academy Awards, USA
• 5 Nominations
BAFTA Awards
• 1 Win & 6 Nominations
