Drawing inspiration from the 1966 movie and its 1963 stage play origin, the 2004 film _Alfie_ features Jude Law as a man in Manhattan who avoids commitment and enjoys a carefree lifestyle. Like the earlier version, Alfie is surrounded by attractive women, with whom he has casual encounters each night. He disregards both them and his friends, confident that his appeal will easily replace any perceived loss. The 1966 film contained a storyline that might be considered shocking when viewed through today’s standards, and this remake seems to try, in some fashion, to modernize the narrative for contemporary audiences. As is common with revivals of older British films, the setting has been changed to suit an American audience, though there's a subtle reference to the original actor Michael Caine’s Cockney style through Jude Law’s performance. Jude Law does capture some of the charm that Caine had in 1966, effortlessly moving from one relationship to another without considering the repercussions. However, placing an Englishman as the main character in New York draws attention to him; and when a protagonist is intentionally made unlikable, this contrast only serves to push him further away from viewers. Furthermore, with frequent references to high fashion, Alfie feels distant even for those who might recognize him as a familiar "lads' night out" type of friend, and he comes across as arrogant and self-important. The plot borrows heavily from the original but seems to omit some of the more delicate connections between Alfie’s relationships, which makes his behavior seem much coarser. Alfie’s smoking habit is kept in the film, which feels odd in a modern production, especially since the reason for it in the earlier story has been removed. Ultimately, _Alfie_ proves to be a failure that's made even more awkward by the rise of the #MeToo movement.

Source on TMDB