Alfie

UK (1966): Drama

Michael Caine's first starring role was a foray into dramatic irony, scripted by Bill Naughton from his novel and play. Alfie (Caine) is a charming, rogueish Cockney who cannot get his fill of women. He uses them without shame or malice, jumping from one promiscuous female's bed to another without much thought or feeling. Of course, Alfie's not as carefree as he would have the audience -- to whom he often speaks directly -- think: he's treated his pregnant, common-law wife, Gilda (Julia Foster), quite shabbily, and an affair with a married woman (Vivien Merchant) that leaves her pregnant, for which Alfie arranges an abortion. In the end, Alfie never finds lasting meaning or pleasure but remains an unrepentant, if low-class, Don Juan. Produced and directed by Lewis Gilbert, the cast also features Shelley Winters, Millicent Martin, Jane Asher, Shirley Anne Field, Eleanor Bron, Alfie Bass and Denholm Elliott. (Don Kaye, All Movie Guide)

· Best Picture 1966: Lewis Gilbert - Producer [Sheldrake, Paramount (British)]
· Actor 1966: Michael Caine
· Supporting Actress 1966: Vivien Merchant
· Writing (Best Screenplay based on material from another medium) 1966: Bill Naughton
· Music Best Song 1966: "Alfie" Burt Bacharach - Music, Hal David - Lyric

5 nominations