Alfie Elkins is a charming, self-absorbed Cockney chauffeur residing in London. His life revolves around casual encounters with both married and single women, immersing himself in fleeting romantic affairs while shunning any form of commitment. As he begins to conclude an affair with Siddie, a married woman, he finds himself inadvertently causing his submissive girlfriend, Gilda, to become pregnant. Despite his morally questionable actions, including stealing fuel and money from his employer, he dismisses the idea of marrying Gilda, who ultimately decides to keep their child, named Malcolm Alfred.
As time goes by, Alfie develops a bond with his son; however, his aversion to marriage prompts Gilda to leave him and marry a more stable and loving man, the kindly bus conductor, Humphrey. This transition results in Gilda restricting Alfie’s access to Malcolm, forcing him to observe from afar as Humphrey eagerly takes on the fatherly duties that Alfie has neglected. The situation exacerbates Alfie’s inner turmoil. A health scare revealing tubercular shadows on his lungs triggers a mental collapse as he contemplates life and his relationships.
Afterward, Alfie recuperates in a tranquil sanatorium where he befriends Harry, a devoted family man married to a rather unremarkable wife named Lily. In a moment of indiscretion, Alfie engages in an affair with a nurse at the sanatorium, which does not sit well with Harry, leading to a confrontational exchange over Alfie’s cavalier outlook on relationships. Once released, Alfie momentarily sets aside his job to capture holiday snapshots of tourists by the Tower of London and encounters Ruby, a luxurious and confident American woman.
Returning to his job as a chauffeur, Alfie finds himself driving a Rolls-Royce back to the sanatorium. There, he runs into Lily after her visit with Harry. The two share an initial reluctance to spend time together but eventually find mutual satisfaction in each other's company, resulting in another seductive encounter during a canoe ride. As Alfie navigates through various romantic interludes, he meets Annie, a young red-headed hitchhiker yearning for a new beginning in London. Despite a brawl initiated by her former romantic interest, Alfie relocates Annie into his lodgings.
Life complicates as Alfie's attitude turns sour, leading him to expel Annie after an outburst; he soon regrets this decision. Meanwhile, Lily reveals that she is pregnant following their brief affair, and together they contemplate their next steps regarding an abortion. Alfie, overwhelmed by the weight of his decisions, finds himself outside a church where he sees his son Malcolm celebrating a baptism with Gilda and Humphrey’s new daughter. The traumatic experience of witnessing this moment alongside his situation with Lily triggers an emotional breakdown for Alfie as he faces the consequences of his previous choices.
Determined to amend his reckless ways, Alfie contemplates settling down with Ruby. However, upon visiting her, he discovers a younger man now occupies her affections. His encounters with other women, including Siddie, reveal a stark realization—his superficial connections have left him feeling increasingly isolated. Struggling with feelings of loneliness and existential ambiguity, he takes in a stray dog, symbolizing a desire for companionship and care, and walks off into the night, pondering the path his life has taken.
