Fortunately, for the sake of this blurb, I have not seen Michael Caine’s original ‘Alfie’. That lets me judge this one without the baggage. Jude Law and director Charles Shyer elevate the material above mediocrity- Jude Law playing a less likeable version of Hugh Grant in ‘About a Boy’. Like ‘Ray’ from last week, this movie is more about the acting and the craft than actual story. Thirtysomething modern-day male angst has been the subject of many films, though they are usually comdies. ‘Alfie’ seems like a comedy, but that is only because of its lead character’s sunny disposition. As the layers peel off, the tragedy emerges, surprising us almost as much as it does Alfie.