Alfie
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Movie Reviews of Alfie
Movie Review: Not what you'd expect -- Alfie is a sick guy
Summary: 3 Stars
I'd actually give this 3 1/2 stars. I'd give it more if it hadn't been packaged as a "delightful comedy", as Judith Crist called it (what was she on?). Alfie (the character) is a sick, mean, selfish a-hole that deserves to be lonely and miserable. Of course guys like him never are. They continue to find people to use and hurt. And those getting used and hurt deserve it, too. They should wise up and tell guys like Alfie to take a hike. I found this movie thoroughly unpleasant. And that's fine, because I don't mind unpleasant movies. It's just that the movie tries to be cute amid all this ugliness. And the whole subplot about the abortion was just plain yucky, with having to imagine the dead, half-developed fetus in that room purely repulsive. It's shocking that a movie at that time went so far, yet somehow manages to maintain a reputation as being a "comedy".
Don't watch this one if you're looking for a good time. You'll have more fun watching "Judgment At Nuremburg". I'm not saying there's nothing to be gathered from this film, because there is. I just found it to be too nihilistic while simultaneously trying to be lighthearted.
Movie Review: Caine cane the sugary christmas stain
Summary: 3 Stars
Not a bad movie, but not a great one either. I like the technique of him talking to the camera, which I think was used even better in High Fidelity, but at times I wish there'd been a little less "said" and more "shown." I mean, it is a movie. But then I looked it up on IMDB and found out that it's based on a play.I did find Michael Caine very engaging though. The movie might be worth a watch just to see him go. It was great to hear his little philsophies on "birds" and life (Watching it made me want to call every girl a "bird" in a thick cockney accent). And I think they did a pretty good job of balancing the humor in the movie with the drama. Caine really pulled that off I thought. And it was fun to watch a movie so clearly made in the 60's with that kind of esthetic. It reminded me a little of "The Knack: and how to get it" which everyone reading this should see.
But there were scenes that went on too long and it seemed redudant at times. I think it should've been shorter and tighter.
I guess I'd give it a B-. It's almost good, but not quite there.
Movie Review: 2.5 stars out of 4
Summary: 3 Stars
The Bottom Line:
Dated, slow, and not especially interesting, Alfie is only of interest as an artifact documenting the beginning of swinging London and as a fine showcase of Michael Caine's talent; if neither of those things (or bar brawls) interest you then look elsewhere.
Movie Review: Didn't do much for me
Summary: 2 Stars
Maybe it was because I had recently watched the newer version of Alfie, but I really didn't like this film. I couldn't get past the chauvinism of Michael Caine. Alfie is a cruel, merciless, and heartless man. He is self-absorbed, utterly insensitive, and totally domineering. He cheerfully holds his "birds" to standards of loyalty he himself needn't bother with. He ruthlessly undermines the individuality and autonomy of everyone he is with, even when pretending to be a liberating force. Notice in his scenes with Gilda how his words sound as though he's endorsing freedom, independence, and self-determination, but the effect of those words is to keep her right under his thumb where she belongs. Alfie deserves our sympathy, yes, but he also deserves our hatred, loathing, and utter contempt.
However, the ending, for me is the key point in liking Caine's character, as without spoiling the film, the final scene, set against the Thames at night, is an outstanding piece of writing and direction
Movie Review: 2 Stars
I have seen this film about 3 times and each time I find the same feeling, one of boredom. It's too long for one thing for such a thin plot. On the good side, Caine is good, the look and feel of the swingin' London '60's is good from a sociological point of view and Vivien Merchant is wonderful in a supporting role as a mature woman who is impregnated with Alfie's baby and has an abortion, which no doubt was daring for the 60's. Suffice it to say that the movie hasn't weathered well in the 38 years since its release, but it's an interesting watchpiece of the '60's, if you can stay awake during the long stretches of boredom.