One of the most iconic films of the sixties, and the role that made Michael Caine a star, Lewis Gilbert’s Alfie is a comedic drama that raises above its success to be as relevant now as it was at the time of release.
Caine’s titular character is the epitome of the cheeky Cockney chappie. Promiscuous and sexist, he’s brash, opinionated, and a hard character to like with modern eyes. Breaking the fourth wall throughout, he makes us complicit in his infidelities. We see him charm himself into the lives of various women without a thought to the consequences – that is, until real life catches up with him.
Viewed with modern eyes, Aflie’s actions and language is incredibly shocking. We’re not just talking about his vernacular, such as calling his women ‘birds’, but there’s a whole scene in which his then-partner is only referred to as ‘it’. This brashness makes the character very much an antihero but also heightens his ‘downfall’ as such, which comes in the climax. Despite the misogynistic language, there’s still a lot of humour to be had from Caine’s portrayal. That said, the infamous abortion scene remains as disturbing and horrific as it was in 1966. It delivers a massive gut-punch without actually showing anything. While Alfie gets a taste of his own medicine from the fantastic Shelley Winters, we get the feeling he’s not completely reformed, leading to one of the most famous final lines ever: “What’s it all about?”
Impact’s Blu-ray presents the film looking fresh, but still boasting the grim colours of the sixties. Alongside a fabulous commentary by Jo Botting and Melanie Williams, who give an enlightening perspective on the film, there’s Matthew Sweet providing his thoughts and a video essay from Kat Ellinger. Perhaps best of all is an archive recording of an interview with director Lewis Gilbert conducted at the National Film Theatre in 1995. This gives us a chance to see him chat openly about his work and includes a funny introduction from Caine. Presented in a hard box, there’s an addition disc containing the brilliant 2017 documentary My Generation, which takes a look at the Cultural Revolution that took place in London during the sixties and is the perfect accompaniment for Alfie.
Despite the outmoded language and attitude, Alfie is still a stunning film that deserves all the praise that has been heaped upon it over the years.
