Alfie
Directed by Lewis Gilbert
Written by Bill Naughton based on his play
1966/UK
Lewis Gilbert/Sheldrake Films
Repeat viewing/Amazon instant
[box] Alfie: My understanding of women only goes as far as the pleasure. When it comes to the pain I’m like any other bloke – I don’t want to know. [/box]
It’s all about Michael Caine.
Alfie (Caine) is a drop-dead gorgeous rotter with an eye for the vulnerable woman. He keeps them on steady rotation. When he impregnates his live-in lover, he begins to experience true love for another human being – his son. But his girlfriend wants something better for the boy. This leaves a tiny hole in Alfie’s heart.
Alfie’s womanizing goes more out of control. He comes down with TB and reaches his nadir. Finally, a rich American cougar (Shelley Winters) teaches Alfie a lesson. With Millicent Martin, Julia Foster, Jane Asher, and Vivien Merchant as some of Alfie’s women, Eleanor Braun as a doctor, and Denholm Elliot as an abortionist.
I vividly remember seeing this in the theater for 50 cents with a girlfriend as a teenager. Loved it then, have watched it multiple times over the years, and love it now. Michael Caine absolutely makes this movie.
Alfie received Academy Award nominations in the categories of Best Picture; Best Actor; Best Supporting Actress (Merchant); Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium; and Best Music, Original Song.
