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Plot

Michael Caine's first starring role was a foray into dramatic irony, scripted by Bill Naughton from his novel and play. Alfie (Caine) is a charming, rogueish Cockney who cannot get his fill of women. He uses them without shame or malice, jumping from one promiscuous female's bed to another without much thought or feeling. Of course, Alfie's not as carefree as he would have the audience -- to whom he often speaks directly -- think: he treats his pregnant, common-law wife, Gilda (Julia Foster), quite shabbily, and has an affair with a married woman (Vivien Merchant) that leaves her pregnant, for which Alfie arranges an abortion. In the end, Alfie never finds lasting meaning or pleasure but remains an unrepentant, if low-class, Don Juan. Caine was Oscar-nominated for his performance.
MPAA Rating:
PG
Genre(s):
Drama
Run Time:
113min.
Theatrical Release Date:
10/14/2000
DVD Release Date:
02/27/2001
Distributor(s):
Paramount
Director(s):
Lewis Gilbert
Starring:
Michael Caine , Shelley Winters , Millicent Martin , Julia Foster , Jane Asher
Themes:
Playing the Field
Tone:
Bittersweet,Matter-of-Fact,Understated,Stylish,Ironic,Humorous,Wry
Keywords:
amorality,bachelor,coming-of-age,courage,ego,fanatic,hedonism,life-changes,life-choices,man,morals,party,promiscuity,sexuality,sports,tennis-player
Language:
English