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Year: 2004
Runtime: 103 min
Language: English
Director: Charles Shyer
In this wickedly witty drama, charming ladies' man Alfie careens through New York City, exploiting his limousine gig to seduce beautiful women - much to the dismay of his pseudo-girlfriend Julie. But when his philandering ways hurt his best friend Marlon, Alfie's world is turned upside down, forcing him to confront the emptiness of his libertines lifestyle and attempt a precarious leap into monogamy with Nikki.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Alfie Elkins is a Cockney limo driver navigating the vibrant streets of Manhattan. As a self-proclaimed sex addict, he frequently indulges in one-night stands with various women. Among them, he has a somewhat casual relationship with Julie, a single mother, whom he describes as his “semi-regular-quasi-sort-of-girlfriend thing.” He also finds himself entangled with Dorie, a woman who is unhappily married. Their situations shift when Dorie expresses a desire for more than just casual sex, which leads Alfie to stop reaching out to her altogether.
In the midst of his chaotic love life, Alfie and his best friend Marlon have dreams of starting a business together. However, for Marlon to be fully committed to their venture, he feels the need to reconcile with his ex, Lonette. When Alfie makes an effort to help Marlon by visiting Lonette at her bar, their encounter takes an unexpected turn after they share a drunken night together. The following day, Alfie anxiously meets with Marlon, fearing that he might spill the beans about their night, only to be relieved when Marlon announces that he and Lonette are back together and planning to get married.
Alfie’s entanglement with women complicates when he goes to Julie for a casual encounter, only to be confronted as she discovered Dorie’s underwear in her trash—leftover remnants from their relationship. Planning a meaningful reconnection with Julie on her son’s birthday, Alfie is devastated to learn she has reconciled with her estranged husband. As if things couldn’t get worse, he finds out from Lonette that she is pregnant with his child. Without confiding in Marlon, they visit a clinic for an abortion. Shortly after, Marlon and Lonette unexpectedly move upstate, leaving without a proper goodbye.
Navigating through the chaos of his relationships, Alfie starts experiencing problems with his sexual performance. A visit to the doctor reveals he is medically healthy, but his impotence stems from stress. However, the doctor discovers a lump on Alfie’s penis, which leads to a stressful waiting period for test results. During a visit to the hospital, he crosses paths with Joe, a widower, who shares some profound life advice: > “Find somebody to love, and live every day like it’s your last.” Fortunately, Alfie learns that he is cancer-free, which he interprets as a second chance at life.
Determined to make the most of this opportunity, he decides it’s time to “aim higher” in his romantic pursuits. This resolve leads him to meet Nikki, a beautiful yet unpredictable woman, and they dive into a passionate and tumultuous relationship. As they move in together, Alfie’s patience wears thin due to Nikki’s mood swings, particularly after she goes off her medication. Seeking solace, he becomes captivated by Liz, an alluring cosmetics mogul. Although Liz encourages him to raise his standards, she insists their relationship remains purely physical, prompting Alfie to end things with Nikki.
While at a coffee shop, Alfie unexpectedly encounters Julie, realizing he still harbors feelings for her. However, to his dismay, she is now involved with someone new. A trip upstate to visit Marlon and Lonette reveals that Lonette never went through with the abortion, and Marlon is aware that Alfie is the father but has chosen to stay with her. Witnessing the pain in Marlon’s eyes prompts Alfie to seek guidance from Joe once more, who advises him to get his life on track. In a moment of vulnerability, he turns to Liz for comfort but is heartbroken to see her with an even younger man.
Late one night, Alfie encounters Dorie again, but she shows no interest in rekindling their relationship. During their conversation, he apologizes for his lack of communication and admits his struggle with expressing feelings, leading him to escape when relationships become serious. Dorie wishes him good luck as their paths diverge once more. The film concludes with Alfie contemplating his desire for genuine change in his life.
Last Updated: May 13, 2025 at 20:31
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