Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...

This guy saw the review we ran last week from the first test screening of ALFIE and was compelled to send his own opinion. I think you’ll see why...

Harry, I also went to the Alfie screening at the Paseo in Pasadena. And upon reading the review by Derek Flint, I just had to set the record straight.

The remake of Alfie is very well acted. Terrific turns by Marisa Tomei, Susan Sarandon and especially Jude Law.

That said ... this will not be a major studio release. Jude Law starts out as a lovable rogue, but as the movie progresses, it becomes more and more evident that he's an ass. He's all flash with no substance. By the time he starts to realize how lonely and screwed up he is, and starts desperately trying to worm his way into any woman's life in a way that gives meaning to his own, you don't want him to succeed. Now, I had not seen the original, so I did not know what to expect, and near the end, I was sitting there pleading in my mind with the film makers to not give this arrogant, pretty-boy prick a happy ending. Because he doesn't deserve it.

So, is that good acting and a good character arc? Sure is. And the way the movie ended actually made me appreciate it. But it's not a movie folks are going to eat up. And there's not enough sex in the movie to make up for it. There are many beautiful women, but other than Jane Krakowski's scene at the beginning, you really don't see much.

Let me also say this. And I don't mean to pick on someone else's review so much, but ... his reporting of the audiences reactions were completely inaccurate. I was there with 3 female friends. And while they certainly enjoyed Jude Law's charisma, they were not 'wet'. His character is an amusement. And none of us thought the movie was better than good.

Sorry to be so negative, but I come here to get reviews, and it's frustrating to see a movie reviewed so inaccurately. To me, this pushed past a difference of opinion into wondering how much this guy got paid.

Sincerely,

Captain Friendly

Ouch. Personally, I’m curious how good a Charles Shyer film can be. So far, his entire career has been the very definition of vanilla, so if he somehow managed to elevate this material, it would be a huge step up for him as a writer/director. Guess we’ll see by the end of the year, eh?

"Moriarty" out.