MPAA Rated: PG-13 for
language, sexual references, drug references, and partial nudity
Running Time: 101 min.
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Will Ferrell,
Michael Caine, Jason Schwartzman, Shirley MacLaine, Kristin Chenoweth,
Heather Burns, Jim Turner, Stephen Colbert, David Alan Grier, Michael
Badalucco, Carole Shelley, Steve Carell, James Lipton (cameo), Conan
O'Brien (cameo), Ed McMahon (cameo) Director: Nora Ephron
Screenplay: Nora Ephron Review published June 26, 2005
Bewitched
is a cute idea for a movie, but that's all it is. It certainly sounds
funnier to hear about than to actually watch. It's not a remake
of the television show of the same name, but it is a movie about the
making of a remake of the television show, with various actors playing
actors playing the roles like they did way back when. One of the
core problems with the movie is that it seems more interested in
recreating the nostalgic feel of romantic comedies of the 1960s,
rather than the feel of the original television show. Perhaps
more accurately, director Nora Ephron (Sleepless
in Seattle, You've Got Mail) probably remembers the television
show as a whimsical romantic sitcom that is beloved by one and all.
My recollection of the
oft-rerun show is that it was funny for its time, with a likeable
ensemble of actors, but the on-joke premise of a witch trying not to
be a witch grew thin rather quickly, despite the fact that the
original show lasted eight years. Virtually the same thing can
be said about this movie, which starts off promisingly, only to
disintegrate into not-too-funny behind the scenes shenanigans about
the making of a television show, and squabbles about which character
is more beloved and receiving the most screen time.
Kidman (The
Interpreter,
Birth) stars as Isabel Bigelow, a real-life witch, albeit a
bit on the ditzy side, but with a heart of gold. She wants
desperately to be a stereotypical housewife, eschewing her witch roots
for a two-story house with a picket fence, and hopefully, a husband
who loves her for her. Will Ferrell (Kicking
& Screaming,
Melinda
and Melinda) co-stars as Jack Wyatt, a down-and-out movie
actor that has had nothing but bombs at the box office. He hopes
that he can do better in television in the revival of the TV show,
"Bewitched", although he will playing the thankless role of Darren,
the least flamboyant of the characters. Not wanting to be
upstaged, he insists that the producers cast a nobody into the part of
Samantha, so the hunt is on for a new face to play the part.
Jack just happens to stumble onto the right woman for the job when he
spies Isabel, and with the promise of getting to know Jack better (she
is attracted to his attraction for her), she consents. However,
problems arise when Jack all but writes Isabel out of the scripts,
focusing the show almost exclusively on Darren. Once Isabel
catches wind, she is furious, and soon turns the tables on Jack and
the producers, resulting in a tug-of-war for control of the show, as
well as for what jack Wyatt is really all about underneath.
In a case of life
imitating art, just as Darren upstages Samantha in the update of
"Bewitched" within the framework of this movie, so too does Will
Ferrell do the same for Nicole Kidman by stealing most of the laughs
with a manic performance. Not that Kidman isn't appealing in the
role, as she is cute, charming, and willing to share the limelight
more than most would have. However, this kind of fluff role is
somewhat beneath someone of her talents, as we've seen her play far
too many strong, intelligent roles to really buy her in the role of a
daft airhead who is easily duped and seduced by the first guy that
comes along. Romantic lead isn't quite Ferrell's forte either,
but somehow he finds opportunities to do his "man on the verge" shtick
enough, managing to squeak out a few laughs due to his mastery of
physical delivery.
Writer-director Nora
Ephron makes a big screen return after five years, but with some mixed
results. The main premise is ingenious, but her execution proves
to be flawed, particularly as she mounts all of these characters into
a high-concept vehicle, only to try to jettison the behemoth before
the end to be the cutesy romantic comedy she probably wanted it to be
from the outset. Unfortunately, by that time, it's too late for
that, and the ending feels mostly like desperation for a feel-good
summation resulting in a possible sequel. If only the romantic
tone had been carried throughout, we'd probably be looking at a much
more successful film here, although the chemistry between Kidman and
Ferrell is practically nonexistent.
Bewitched
is a bit of a mess, so I wouldn't really recommend shelling out good
money for it unless you absolutely have an insatiable yen to see it.
As a rental or on cable, it will probably fare better, where the
sitcom antics will seem much more at home on the small screen.
Try as Ephron might to make this a wonderful, sweep-you-off-your-feet
experience, it's only a grim reminder that there is no such thing as
magic.
Bewitched
