Pretty much every movie being released this summer is either a remake or a sequel or prequel of some sorts. When they started showing previews for the film adaptation of the hit sixties program 'Bewitched' starring Nicole Kidman as Samantha and Will Ferrell as Darren, I thought it was going to be pretty good. I mean Nicole Kidman, as much as I don't really like her acting, usually stars in decent productions, and Will Ferrell is absolutely hysterical. Michael Caine was also in this remake, and Shirley MacLaine was going to play Endora, and Anchorman and The Daily Show's Steve Carrell was going to portray Uncle Arthur. With a powerhouse cast like this, I figured there was no way 'Bewitched' was going to be disappointing. I was wrong. Oh, god, was I wrong!
The absolutely dreadful plot follows a washed-up failed film actor, Jack Hyatt (Ferrell). After the major flop of his Vietnam flick, Jack decides to star in a television remake of the sixties hit 'Bewitched' as Darren. Jack doesn't want a famous actress in the role of Samantha since he wants to be the absolute center of attention. After going through hundreds of very untalented Hollywood unknowns, Jack spots Isabelle (Kidman) at a coffee shop and sees her wiggle her nose perfectly like the Samantha on the old 'Bewitched'. Jack casts her as Samantha in 'Bewitched', but little does he realize she is actually a witch. How will this remake ever work out? By the end, or actually by the middle you don't really give a damn.
Nora Ephron does a terrible job with this embarrassing remake. Will Ferrell is probably the funniest part of this remake gone awry, and even his screen time is limited. That's right, the show is all about Nicole freakin' Kidman. She plays Samantha with so stiff and so unimpassioned that Elizabeth Montgomery is probably rolling over in her grave. Shirley MacLaine is a good Endora, but Steve Carrell does anything but nail Uncle Arthur, a role originally portrayed by Paul Lynde. The film's screenplay is absolutely dreadful and plays like more of a pretentious love story then a romantic comedy. I don't even think you could classify 'Bewitched' as a comedy. I only laughed once! I think I laughed more while watching Schindler's List. Nora Ephron doesn't impress with her directing, and film really drags non-stop. Will Ferrell is really one of the only redeeming parts of this film. The concept was kind of original, and I have to give 'Bewitched' brownie points for that, but besides that and the perfect casting of Ferrell as Darren, I can't say I like anything more about the 2005 film version of 'Bewitched'.
In closing, 'Bewitched' is a bad movie. It isn't horrible, but it sure is bad. The screenplay is a mess, the direction is poor and the acting is mediocre (Ferrell and MacLaine are great, Caine is good, and Kidman and Carrell stink.) If you are a big fan of the old show this version may be worth watching (but you'll be sorely disappointed), but if you aren't a fan like me, don't waste your money seeing this in the theaters. Don't even dish out five bucks renting it. If you want my advice, wait till it premiers on HBO, and based on the quality of this piece of junk, I figure you won't have to wait too long. Grade: D+ (screened at AMC Deer Valley 30, Phoenix, Arizona, 6/25/05)
my ratings guide - A+ (absolutley flawless); A (a masterpiece, near-perfect); A- (excellent); B+ (great); B (very good); B- (good); C+ (a mixed bag); C (average); C- (disappointing); D+ (bad); D (very bad); D- (absolutley horrendous); F (not one redeeming quality in this hunk of Hollywood feces).
The absolutely dreadful plot follows a washed-up failed film actor, Jack Hyatt (Ferrell). After the major flop of his Vietnam flick, Jack decides to star in a television remake of the sixties hit 'Bewitched' as Darren. Jack doesn't want a famous actress in the role of Samantha since he wants to be the absolute center of attention. After going through hundreds of very untalented Hollywood unknowns, Jack spots Isabelle (Kidman) at a coffee shop and sees her wiggle her nose perfectly like the Samantha on the old 'Bewitched'. Jack casts her as Samantha in 'Bewitched', but little does he realize she is actually a witch. How will this remake ever work out? By the end, or actually by the middle you don't really give a damn.
Nora Ephron does a terrible job with this embarrassing remake. Will Ferrell is probably the funniest part of this remake gone awry, and even his screen time is limited. That's right, the show is all about Nicole freakin' Kidman. She plays Samantha with so stiff and so unimpassioned that Elizabeth Montgomery is probably rolling over in her grave. Shirley MacLaine is a good Endora, but Steve Carrell does anything but nail Uncle Arthur, a role originally portrayed by Paul Lynde. The film's screenplay is absolutely dreadful and plays like more of a pretentious love story then a romantic comedy. I don't even think you could classify 'Bewitched' as a comedy. I only laughed once! I think I laughed more while watching Schindler's List. Nora Ephron doesn't impress with her directing, and film really drags non-stop. Will Ferrell is really one of the only redeeming parts of this film. The concept was kind of original, and I have to give 'Bewitched' brownie points for that, but besides that and the perfect casting of Ferrell as Darren, I can't say I like anything more about the 2005 film version of 'Bewitched'.
In closing, 'Bewitched' is a bad movie. It isn't horrible, but it sure is bad. The screenplay is a mess, the direction is poor and the acting is mediocre (Ferrell and MacLaine are great, Caine is good, and Kidman and Carrell stink.) If you are a big fan of the old show this version may be worth watching (but you'll be sorely disappointed), but if you aren't a fan like me, don't waste your money seeing this in the theaters. Don't even dish out five bucks renting it. If you want my advice, wait till it premiers on HBO, and based on the quality of this piece of junk, I figure you won't have to wait too long. Grade: D+ (screened at AMC Deer Valley 30, Phoenix, Arizona, 6/25/05)
my ratings guide - A+ (absolutley flawless); A (a masterpiece, near-perfect); A- (excellent); B+ (great); B (very good); B- (good); C+ (a mixed bag); C (average); C- (disappointing); D+ (bad); D (very bad); D- (absolutley horrendous); F (not one redeeming quality in this hunk of Hollywood feces).