Alfie-ism

Tropical Thoughts

I watched "Alfie" last night; have you seen it? In short version, it's basically about a guy who's a player. He dates and sleeps with various women, all of whom give more to him than he even thinks about giving to them. The beginning of the movie has some humourous bits, most of which would appeal to the males in the audience, but the movie does grow a little more serious as it continues.

You see, Alfie begins to realize that he has nothing of significance in his life -- at least as far as love and relationships go. He has betrayed his best friend, used random women, and pushed away the ones who've tried their best to reach some depth with him. When the tables finally begin to turn, he is shocked and hurt, and he desperately tries to cling to those he once shunned. They, of course, have moved on, and in doing so, they force Alfie to look inward. He realizes his mistakes, grows up a little, and, thankfully, he doesn't get what he wants in the end.

At the end of the movie, I'd decided that, although it was a decent flick, the outcome was unrealistic. I thought, "People (read 'men') don't really have those glorious James Joyce epiphanies. Guys like Alfie just keep doin' what they love doin'..." But, based on further consideration, the receipt of a late-night phone call, and recent circumstances, I take that back.

Men do, after all, realize their mistakes and want to make up for them. I just wish they'd figure themselves out before inflicting the hurt... It might save some women from winding up jaded. Then again, maybe I should just be content that they even figure it out at all..?