It is bound to be compared to the original.We all know that the movie is about a young man, a real chick magnet that women find irresistible. Alfie is a cad, he is meant to be a lovable cad and he is a young man afraid of commitment. The original dealt with several issues and the new version does side step a few issues. I felt aids needed some mention. The old Alfie did not have that to contend with.The world then was concerned with abortion but today, abortion is generally seen as a woman's right. Its true there are a few nut cases who for quaint reasons still oppose abortion as a woman's choice but generally we see them as stodgy old conservatives.Quaint but quite silly. Still it was a hot topic back then. There is one thing in this movie that makes it work. Jude Law is perfect. It is quite simply an outstanding performance. The cheeky chats to the camera, the charm and the masculinity of Alfie is wonderful. I always found Michael Caines Alfie very dull, pallid and even rather effeminate. Caine looked like a pasty pom who had never seen the light of day, let alone a street fight.His working class ethic was simply phoney. Law beats him hands down! Law is all man. Albeit, cheeky man. There are wonderful new scenes such as the chat in the toilets with the old man who can't piddle. A stark message to Alfie of the world ahead. Alfie never means to hurt any one but he does. I preferred the women in the original film, especially Shelly Winters but the original had one essential ingredient missing, Mr Law. Jude Law, who gives a faultless, restrained performance. It was hard to understand why women swooned over Michael Caine. When you watch Jude Law you cant help thinking, who wouldn't?
