Alfie

Herald rating: * * *

In 1966, Alfie, a film about a mischievous Cockney lad and British counter-culture, made an instant star of Michael Caine.

While this 21st Century remake isn't Jude Law's best work, he does have the required charm and irresistibility to assume the role of one of cinema's most lovable rogues.

This version is set in contemporary Manhattan rather than the swinging 60s in London, but Alfie is still a player. He's a stylish and charming man who enjoys the company of woman - as long as they don't require commitment or emotional involvement. He's self-obsessed, delightfully non-PC, and plays the dating game on his own simple terms - he sleeps with whomever he wants, whenever he wants. Well, when you look like Jude Law ... .

Alfie is like a long episode of Sex and the City, where Alfie shares his sexual adventures with savvy New York women by talking directly to camera, just as Caine did.

Although, unlike the ladies of Sex and the City, Alfie doesn't really come up with any new takes on life and love. He's genuinely surprised there can be unexpected consequences to free love, such as pregnancy and being dumped, but, true to character, that's not quite enough to convince this leopard to change its spots.

While in 1966 Alfie's free-love attitude might have caused a stir at the movies, in 2005 it all seems a little like old news.

In one scene, Alfie tries to redeem himself by apologising to a woman whom he told he would call, but never did. This is where the film misses. She doesn't care - she's watched Sex and the City and knows that he just isn't that into her.

Despite attempting to live with a girlfriend (Miller) and dating an older, higher standard of woman (Sarandon), Alfie finds that while his bachelor days have brought many great lays, very few friendships have been made.

Lonely and empty, he begs the question: "What's it all about then?"

Good question. While there are worse ways of spending 105 minutes, you do leave feeling maybe you're a little more clued up than the gorgeous man on the big screen.

CAST: Jude Law, Susan Sarandon, Marisa Tomei, Omar Epps, Sienna Miller

DIRECTOR: Charles Shyer

RUNNING TIME: 105 mins

RATING: M (offensive language, sexual references)

SCREENING: Village, Hoyts and Berkeley cinemas