Alfie (1966)

Alfie is a young man in sixties London who attracts a string of beautiful women despite the fact that he treats them poorly. When one of them gets pregnant he isn't too happy but she says she will have the baby adopted… but when the time comes she decides to keep the little boy. Alfie isn't willing to be a full time father but he likes the lad and sees him every weekend. A couple of years pass then she decides she wants more and marries another man. Around the same time Alfie discovers that he has a shadow on his lungs and must live in a sanatorium in the country… he doesn't stop his womanising ways though and it isn't long before it is getting him in more trouble.This film is a classic from the 'Swinging Sixties' but is definitely of its time. Michael Caine does a fine job in the lead role… unfortunately his character is hard to like thanks to his very dated attitudes. Referring to women as 'birds' is just slightly dated slang but using the pronoun 'It' must have been offensive even then! This of course makes it rather satisfying when one of his women gets a younger lover. There are comedy moments, notably a bar fight, but also some real tragedy involving an illegal abortion. Much of the dialogue is Alfie talking directly to camera as he tells the viewer his various ideas… mostly about women; this could have been irritating but I found it effective and sometimes comic. The supporting cast do an impressive job; these include Julia Foster, the woman who bears his child; Jane Asher, an attractive young redhead he dates for a while; Shelley Winters as an older American woman and Vivien Merchant who plays the wife of another patient at the sanatorium. Overall I'd certainly recommend this even if it does feel a bit dated it is an interesting look at sixties' attitudes.

Apparently, I had never seen Michael Caine in a leading role; that can't be right I thought, but a quick scan through his filmography revealed that I had, in fact, missed out on seeing any films with Michael Caine as a lead. Alfie, the 1966 film by Lewis Gilbert, follows a self-professed ladies man through his life of careless leisure as he slowly begins to realize the consequences of the choices he has a history of unapologetically making. Starring Michael Caine in the titular role, along with Shelley Winters, Alfie is a late-in-life coming of age story highlighting the difficult realization that adulthood comes along whether we wish it to or not, and at some point, we must face the realities of the decisions we make.Alfie (Michael Caine) is a young, good looking, wholly self-centered egotistical sexist who believes that women exist to be sought after by him. Alfie has an established system that he closely follows that require him to use women for sexual gratification, yet remain proficient in detecting the signs of emotional attachment. As soon as Alfie sees one of his conquests becoming emotionally involved, he retreats, ignoring them until their feelings have waned. Such a "romantic" method leaves Alfie feeling happy-go-lucky without any attachments, but leaving a trail of devastation in his wake. The worst part of Alfie's character is not only that he believes he is doing no harm to the psychology of these women, but that he is actually doing them a service and teaching them a valuable life lesson. As Alfie's own mortality and emotional attachments reveal themselves to him, he begins to realize the harm his lifestyle has done and slowly learns that one person's actions affect all of those one comes into contact with.Rabid individualism is what Alfie believes gives him the edge in life, but he eventually finds out that what he has always viewed as his biggest strength, is actually his greatest downfall. It takes some people much longer than others to learn that their life doesn't just affect them--don't we all know that self-centered person that behaves just as Alfie does, leaving pain behind in everything they touch while believing that they are doing favors to all those they come into contact with. Alfie's only redeeming quality in this film is that he eventually comes to realizing he is hurting people, and goes about, in his own way, to do less damage to those around him. Unlikeable characters are a tough boat to get into when watching a film because it's tough to find another redeeming quality on a film low on technical prowess. What was impressive was the effective way in which the 4th wall was broken throughout the film and a dialogue was maintained with the audience. Of course, Alfie wasn't the only film to do this, as the technique was also done quite effectively in the Best Picture winning film of 1963, Tom Jones. The speech at the beginning of the film regarding not having credits was great fun, and such unconventional methods were able to detract from the unlikeable characters and keep one engaged.

One of Michael Caine's launching pad movies, Alfie is a cunning observation of the hedonistic swinging 60s, of a mod London that time has left behind. Adapted by Bill Naughton from his own play, it's directed by Lewis Gilbert and sees Caine supported by Shelley Winters, Millicent Martin, Julia Foster, Jane Asher, Shirley Anne Field and Vivien Merchant.Undeniably dated and arguably pushing the boundaries of the war between the sexes, it's a picture that is often wry and bittersweet and yet also so sad. It never shies away from responsibility, deftly showing the pitfalls of the era, with Caine absolutely marvellous as Alfie goes through his armoury of sexual charm and bizarre naivety.The viewing of sex and adultery, from both sides of the coin, is frank and telling, with the smartness of the production garnering 5 Oscar nominations. Come the end of the play, you will have feelings you didn't think were coming your way. Especially after a turn of events that is harrowing and potent in equal measure.Of its time for sure, but relevant film making? Without a doubt. Exceptionally performed in to the bargain. 7/10

ALFIE is a somewhat dated, but still engaging dramedy, with a star-making performance by Michael Caine. The film is about Alfie, a Cockney ladies' man with commitment issues, and the audience is personally led through his life by him breaking the fourth wall and addressing us directly. This is useful on a couple of levels. First, it is amusing that he can do that without his female companions being any wiser, but it also allows the viewer to connect with him in a much deeper way. As Alfie is a rather unlikeable character, save for a couple scenes where he shows some genuine emotion, the way in which he directly communicates with the audience is key in laying bare the character's motivation, regardless of whether or not you agree with what he does. Early on in the film, there is a sly comedic tone set which carries throughout most of the running time, until it takes a turn for the melodramatic. I didn't particularly like the direction it went, but it did serve a narrative and character-building purpose. I also felt like Alfie's comeuppance was handled rather well. Overall, this was a good movie, though occasionally slightly tedious. Michael Caine's performance is the real draw here. Still, there was a nice soundtrack and closing credits song by Cher. Despite some rather dated morals, I felt that this was a good character study of someone who knows how to make love, but doesn't know how to love.