Bewitched

 

 

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The entire premise of the movie is not good. Which is made even worse by the generally lack luster comedy and acting on the part of Will Ferrel. Casting was actually really good otherwise.

This isn't a movie remake of Bewitched. It's a movie about a remake of the television series, where they just happen to cast a real witch in the part of 'Samantha'. Then awkward romance and bad writing ensue. I gave this movie a shot, but I just could not get with that kind of premise. It just doesn't make for a good movie idea, let alone an actual movie.

Even though I'm still struggling with the concept of Will Ferrell getting the opportunity to romance Nicole Kidman onscreen - and being paid buckets full of money, to boot - I do have to say that I enjoyed Bewitched more than I thought I would. I'm not saying there is anything at all substantial to the film, though, because there isn't. It's complete fluff - but it's funny fluff. Ferrell is his typically hilarious bumbling self, Shirley MacLaine seems to really enjoy the chance to ham it up as Endora, and Nicole Kidman is - well, she's Nicole Kidman. I was as surprised as anyone when she took the role of the new Samantha, but she's quite good and as becoming as ever - although this part certainly offered her no challenges whatsoever. Everyone in this film is good - except Steve Carell, who proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that we will never see the likes of Paul Lynde again (which is probably a good thing).

I'm no fan of remakes, especially when so many of them are rather abysmal and usually leave me feeling quite offended on behalf of a show I have loved since I was a child. You have to give the filmmakers of Bewitched a little credit, though, for taking a different approach to this particular remake. They don't just recreate the original characters and give them an embarrassing script to run with, they do a film about recreating the original characters. Nicole Kidman isn't Samantha at all, she's Isabel Bigelow, the woman who plays Samantha in the remake. Of course, Isabel is herself a witch trying to live a normal life. Will Ferrell isn't Darren; he's Jack Wyatt, the guy who plays Darren. When Isabel and Jack fall for each other, it's the whole Samantha syndrome all over again. The plot sounds rather weak, doesn't it? I told you this was pure fluff.

Ferrell gets most of the laughs as a formerly successful movie actor trying to bounce back from a movie bust of Ishtar proportions; he's your typical me-centric actor who cares only about himself. If his move to TV in the form of the Bewitched remake falls through, he knows he's all but done in the business. That's why he insists that a complete no-name star as Samantha, one who won't mind the fact that he's stealing all of the spotlights. He thinks he finds just the woman in Isabel, who is in turn attracted to Jack because he's such an emotional mess (which is exactly what she is looking for in her quest to live a normal life) - but of course he has no idea he's dealing with a real witch. The rest of the film is completely predictable, of course, and the Ferrell-Kidman matchup doesn't seem to have a whole heck of a lot of chemistry, but it's good, playful fun that doesn't try to be anything more than that. Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine lend a fair amount of class to the act, but it's purely the comedy incorporated into the script that makes this movie go.

The plot, besides being predictable, also has a few problems - I for one would never have given Isabel a real-life Aunt Clara, and the whole Uncle Arthur scene is just embarrassing to have to watch. Ferrell's goofiness and Kidman's charm, though, prove strong enough to overcome the film's obvious faults. As long as you go in expecting nothing more than some good laughs, Bewitched should not prove disappointing.

This is a take-off of the popular television sit-com, "Bewitched", that originally starred the adorable Elizabeth Montgomery as a witch, Samantha Stevens, who is married to a mere mortal, Darrin Stevens, played by Dick York. The television show was a huge hit, and not even the eventual replacement of Dick York with another actor in the role of the husband made it lose any ground with its devoted audience.

So, I looked forward to seeing this film, which, to its credit, tries to give the original premise a fresh look. So, the film is actually about a re-make of the original sit-com, with funny man Will Ferrell playing the part of Jack Wyatt, a down on his luck actor looking to give his faltering career a boost. When he is offered a chance to play the part of Darrin Stevens in a television re-make of "Bewitched", he leaps at the opportunity, on the condition that an unknown is cast in the part of Samantha, so that his own role is not eclipsed.

When he spots gorgeous Isabel Bigelow (Nicole Kidman) twitching her nose in public, Jack is positive he has found the perfect unknown for the role of Samantha. Unbeknownst to Jack, however, Isabel really is a witch who is just trying to live an ordinary life, doing the things that mere mortals do. She is trying very hard not to use her unusual abilities and is looking for someone who wants her just for herself. When she meets Jack, she misreads his intentions and finds herself on cloud nine. She does the show, playing the role of Samantha, only to discover that Jack is not really the person she thought he was. Then, let the games begin!

Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell are both good in their respective roles, and Nicole Kidman really does have that nose twitch down pat, though her ostensible naivet' is a bit cloying. It is the supporting cast, however, that nearly runs away with the film. Michael Caine is wonderfully droll as Nigel Bigelow, Isabel's warlock father, who pops up when she least expects it. Shirley MacLaine gives a terrific, over the top performance as actress Iris Smythson, who is cast to play Samantha's television mom, Endora. Jason Schwartzman is excellent in the role of Ritchie, Jack's smarmy, sleazy agent. Kristin Chenoweth is adorable as Isabel's perky neighbor and new found friend. David Alan Grier, Heather Burns, and Steve Carrell round out the notables in the film.

The film has plenty of star power and enough laughs to keep it plodding along, but its downfall lies in the script, which screenwriter Nora Ephron wrote, together with her sister, Delia. While I have to give them kudos for the new twist, in the end the film fails to fully satisfy the viewer, as it tries too hard to be all things to all people. The original "Bewitched" was a simple fantasy comedy. Now, the screenwriters have tried, unsuccessfully, to interject romance into the formula, making it a fantasy comedy with romantic overtones. Not only is there not enough chemistry between the two leads, the romance is simply unnecessary. Perhaps they should have stuck to the original premise. After all, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

In any case, this is still a moderately enjoyable film that is certainly worth a rental.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!
I loved the old show this movie is based on, and I found the movie itself to be in the same fun-filled tone and demeaner. Read more

Published on Jun 22 2006 by Corey Cole

1.0 out of 5 stars Awful
I am a big fan of Nicole Kidman and Michael Caine, but was totally baffled why either ever got involved in this project. The dialogue was wooden and the jokes fell flat. Read more

Published on Mar 27 2006

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