Two sides of 'Alfie'

Last evening I watched the movie 'Alfie' with my best buddy Sean. It was a terrible rush to get to the cinema on time as I had to rush quite a lot of last minute work before leaving the office. Such unpredictability of timing at times. While waiting for me to arrive, Sean finished up 1/3 of the whole big box of popcorn! So funny, the way he looks when hungry...

Anyway, we go into the movie theatre on time, just before the show started. Sean told me that it was a comedy, but somehow my gut feeling told me that I didn't think so. But oh well, the movie just started, so I shan't jump to conclusions so quickly.

As the movie went on, I realised why it was rated M18. There were two particular scenes that showed a naked woman. Thus, making it two naked women in total for the entire movie. I thought to myself, oh well... its another of those not so 'healthy' shows. But nevermind, since I didn't choose to movie & I paid for it, might as well just watch it & try not to get any 'wrong' ideas.

What's interesting about this show is the lead actor 'Jude Law' made it quite interactive; in the sense that he actually talks to the audience (i.e. us) occasionally throughout the show. It seemed like the first time that I'm watching such an interactive movie & I actually enjoyed it!

Jude Law acted as 'Alfie' (aka Alfred) in this movie. He is portrayed as a loose guy who goes around charming many women & bedding them, regardless of their age. Sounds like an unwholesome show, huh? But wait... after all these scenes have passed, the movie began to portray how such activities (knowingly or unknowingly) slowly creeps into his life & consumes him. Things started to fall apart, especially after an unwanted pregnancy.

Then I began to see the 'real stuff' that made this movie such a reflective show to me. I began to see his emotions, his hurts, his struggles, his pain, his sorrow, his past... all creeping inside him. It really pricked my heart when the man who married this woman that Alfie had slept with, gave him this unforgettable look on his face. That was it... it was the turning point of the show & I began to see how this movie could 'speak' to many out there who lived such lives. Alfie's experiences of hurts grew & grew. It was so moving to me...

The last scene of the movie portrayed a short scene of reflection by Alfie & ended with him asking a question which I believe & hoped would speak to all who watch this movie. Indeed, this is a great show. Similarly to 'Bruce Almighty' in a sense... but distinct in its own way...