Alfie (1966)

Release date: 1966-08-24
Country: UK
Language: English
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Production Co: Lewis Gilbert, Sheldrake Films
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Rating: 7.1/10
Length: 1h 54min

Storyline

For Alfie, the only real life is sex life. Only then, can he kid himself he is living. Sex is not used as the working-class boy's way to "the top". Executive status has no appeal for Alfie. Nor has class mobility. He is quite content to stay where he is, as long as the "birds" are in "beautiful condition", as he assures us they are in one of the candid, over-the-shoulder asides to the camera which this movie carries over from Tom Jones (1963). This movie shows how much of the "swinging 60s" quality of London life was a male creation, and through the dominance of the fashion photographers, a male prerogative.

Plot Keywords

character name as title, promiscuity, party, hedonism, fanatic, ego, courage, coming of age, bachelor, womanizer, tuberculosis, sanitarium, infidelity, london england, abortion, breaking the fourth wall, based on novel, based on play, tennis player, urban setting

Short Review

An amusing, moving and meaningful picture. Although for much of the way it tinkles along with the innocent merriment of a carousel, it dips into reality for its climax, and makes a valid and indelible impression.