Alfie is the provocative tale of a philosophical womaniser who is forced to question his seemingly carefree existence. Ultimately, his freewheeling lifestyle begins to slowly unravel in this chic, sexy, stylistic cinematic experience.

Playing the killer ladies' man Alfie is Jude Law, while Marisa Tomei and Susan Sarandon portray two of the many birds' who succumb to Alfie's charms.

The original Alfie captured a blend of romp and reality that was shocking and innovative in its time, and introduced a young Michael Caine to the world. In this contemporary re-invention, Alfie is now an irresistible Londoner who has taken up residence in Manhattan, where he hopes to make his fortune - and make love to as many beautiful women as possible.

Alfie Elkins works as a limousine driver, chauffeuring the wealthy through the streets of Manhattan, and occasionally making love to his lonely female clients in the backseat. Though he has his ambitions, he wants only enough to get by, his primary focus being the pleasures of life - without any of the responsibilities.

For Jude Law, portraying Alfie presented a unique challenge. Not only was the actor in every scene, often having an intimate dialogue with the audience, but also he was playing the role of a man with highly questionable integrity.

"This kind of lothario, matinee idol, good-with-the-girls type of character is definitely a test for any actor to portray, but the script was so good I had to do it," says Law.

"Actually, Alfie is more multi-faceted than one would think. He's really quite a thoughtful fellow when you think about it, and he is trying to change his wayward ways."

Director Charles Shyer and co-writer/producer Elaine Pope decided to tell the character's story in Alfie's own words.

To do this, the writers employed the challenging technique used in the '60s classic - where Alfie speaks directly to us, the audience.

Law observes that breaking that wall between fantasy and reality is something that doesn't come naturally to an actor. "It was very alien at first, but after a while I began to feel like the wall wasn't there at all. It truly became second nature for me, and I think that once people watching the movie get used to it, they'll feel that Alfie is talking to each one of them as a friend."

Marisa Tomei plays a single mother Julie, whom Alfie visits when he needs a bit of comfort and home cooking. According to Tomei, Julie is a survivor. She loves Alfie, but she's starting to not like him very much.

"I just love portraying this kind of character who grows stronger right before our eyes," says Tomei. "I think a lot of women will relate to Julie. She's looking for a guy who can commit, but she kind of likes the roguish boyish charmuntil it starts to get old."

Susan Sarandon's character Liz is as sexy as she is successful, and one of the women in Alfie's life who just might just be able to keep up with him in both the libido and the charm department.

"I love the way my character is described in the script: A voluptuous (some would say over-ripe, all would say sexy) woman decked out in Chanel.' I mean, who wouldn't want to play a vixen like that!" laughs Sarandon. "Actually, beyond the physical description, I like how tough this broad is. She finally dishes out to Alfie what he's been dishing out to women for years."

Nia Long plays Lonette, one woman in Alfie's life whom he has always considered out of his league. She's also off-limits since his best friend, Marlon, portrayed by Omar Epps, wants to marry her. "No one sees through Alfie more than Lonette does, yet even she succumbs to his charms," observes Long. "I was very excited to read her storyline in the script because it follows a very different curve than the other women. In fact, I think what happens between her and Alfie really opens his eyes a little actually a lot."

Jane Krakowski is Dorie, a frustrated housewife who's content with her weekly Alfie fix'.

"What's interesting about Alfie is he's completely honest and up-front on one level, but oblivious to how he hurts people on another," observes Krakowski.

"In Dorie's case, she always has her eyes wide open except for maybe a moment or two when she fantasizes that her relationship with Alfie is more than it is. But doesn't everybody do that during a relationship at one time or another?"

While working on the film, Jude Law began to reflect on just what it is that makes a guy like Alfie so attractive to women.

A huge fan of the original film and of Michael Caine's take on the character, Law says the modern-day Alfie he has created is on an entirely different journey from the swinging playboy Caine portrayed in 1966.

"There's no doubt that individuals with Alfie's attitude existed back then and there's no doubt they exist today," observes Law.

"Some would even say that his attitude is actually more relevant to the way people currently think; that is, more freely with regard to sex and dating."