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The 2004 movie Jude Law will regret for the rest of his life: “I kicked myself”
Jude Law has said he regrets starring in the 2004 remake of *Alfie*, believing it was a poor choice during a successful period in his career. He felt the film failed to improve on the 1966 original and leaned too heavily on his heartthrob image.
The article contrasts Michael Caine’s rougher, more consequential portrayal with Law’s polished New York womaniser, arguing that the remake’s glossy setting weakened its critique of Alfie’s behaviour. Law described the film as too expensive and “cheesy”; it followed his Oscar-nominated work in *Cold Mountain* and came amid a crowded run of 2004 releases, including *Closer* and *The Aviator*.
In short
- Jude Law regrets choosing the 2004 *Alfie* remake.
- He felt it was glossy, costly and too cheesy.
- Its release came during an unusually busy year for Law.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The 2004 Alfie represented a misguided attempt to improve upon a classic film that worked perfectly in its original form. By casting a conventionally handsome star in a glossy New York setting, the remake sacrificed the original's satirical edge and critique of the protagonist's behaviour. For a talented actor at the height of his career following an Oscar nomination, choosing this project over potentially more artistically ambitious work was a demonstrable misstep.
The case against
Remakes are legitimate creative exercises that can offer value even when they don't surpass their predecessors. The 2004 film served commercial and entertainment purposes of its era, and not every professional role need be a critical success to justify making it. Law's retrospective criticism may undervalue the normal give-and-take of an acting career, where interesting work sits alongside less successful projects, all of which contribute to professional growth.
Explained simply
*Alfie* is a 1966 British film starring Michael Caine about a charming but self-centred London man who seduces women without regard for their feelings. The film was acclaimed for its sharp critique of the main character's empty lifestyle and the casual harm he inflicted on others.
A remake of *Alfie* was released in 2004, relocating the story to New York and casting American actor Jude Law in the title role. However, the remake was criticised for adopting a glossier, more superficial approach that seemed more interested in showcasing Law's appeal as a romantic lead than genuinely examining the character's moral emptiness.
Jude Law has since expressed regret about his involvement in the 2004 film, describing it as a misstep during an otherwise strong period in his career. The role came shortly after his Oscar nomination for *Cold Mountain* and appears to stand out to him as a career decision he would make differently today.