Alfie

A much-improved, less misogynistic remake of Michael Caine's 1966 sex dramedy, this Alfie stars irresistible Jude Law as a more credibly charismatic and playful playboy whose contented superficiality gives way to emerging self-awareness and perceptible depth--surprising even the title character himself. As the wily rake admits--frankly, charmingly, and direct-to-camera--his concurrent affairs with a bevy of Manhattan beauties are a product of good looks, practiced flattery, an upscale metrosexual wardrobe, his English accent, and the fact that he drives a limo. But underneath the uncouth deliberateness of Alfie's many seductions, Law creates a three-dimensional character who recognizes his flaws, tries to minimize any damage he does to women's hearts, and accepts that someday his lifestyle is going to come crashing down around him if he doesn't begin to change. The most welcome departure from the original is that Alfie's dalliances--among them Marisa Tomei (single mom), Nia Long (Foxy Brown-like barmaid), Sienna Miller (slinky, kinky model) and Susan Sarandon (voluptuous, moneyed maven of younger men)--are no longer insecure doormats. Each affair provides good comedy and natural fodder for Alfie's semi-cognizant emotional evolution. Recommended. [Note: Available in either a widescreen or full screen version, DVD extras include audio commentaries (one by co-screenwriter/director Charles Shyer and editor Padraic McKinley; the other by Shyer and co-screenwriter/producer Elaine Pope), a “Round Table of Alfie” discussion by Shyer, McKinley, cinematographer Ashley Rowe, and production designer Sophie Becher (16 min.), the production featurettes “The World of Alfie” (10 min.), “The Women of Alfie” (12 min.), “Deconstruction of a Scene” (5 min.), and “Let the Music In” including interviews with co-composer Mick Jagger (13 min.), eight deleted scenes (11 min.) with optional commentary by Shyer and McKinley, the two-minute outtake segment “Gedde Watanabe Dance Footage” with optional commentary by Shyer and Pope, a six-segment script gallery, a production gallery, a six-segment storyboard gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a handsome extras package for a winning remake.] (R. Blackwelder)