The Devil and Daniel Webster (2004)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Alec Baldwin

Writers (WGA):

Stephen Vincent Benet (story)
Archibald Macleish (play)

Release Date:

17 August 2007 (Kazakhstan)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

Tagline:

the devil is in the details.

Plot:

A down-and-out writer sells his soul to the devil in exchange for fame and fortune.

Plot Keywords:

Quirky | Remake | Writer | She Devil | Based On Short Story

Cast

Anthony Hopkins	...	Daniel Webster
Alec Baldwin	...	Jabez Stone
Jennifer Love Hewitt	...	The Devil
Ken Murton	...	Daniel's Agent
Frank Sivero	...	Luigi
Dan Aykroyd	...	Julius Jenson
Gregg Bello	...	Rick Fusco
Kim Cattrall	...	Constance Hurry
John Savage	...	Johnny
Al Palagonia	...	Anthony
Barry Miller	...	Mike Weiss
Jason Patric	...	Ray
Paul Thornton	...	James Joyce
Kevin Olson	...	Tommy Anderson
Bill Corsair	...	Aging Writer

Also Known As:

Shortcut to Happiness (USA) (new title)
The Devil (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language and sexual content.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Bethpage, Long Island, New York, USA

Company:

Cutting Edge Entertainment

Trivia:

Long known as "The Devil & Daniel Webster" the films title was changed to "Shortcut to Happiness" after being acquired by Bob Yari productions.

Goofs:

Continuity: When buying the house, Jabez Stone sees the Devil on the beach. He runs to her with his shirt's collar over his jacket. But when he is there and talks to the Devil the collar is carefully tucked under.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Family Guy: Stuck Together, Torn Apart (#3.19)" (2002)

I Had A Devil Of A Time Watching This Film!!

I think this film is truly cursed! I wonder how much more could happen to it. But, to give the Devil its due, this is really a good film. I saw it at a screening and it had two of the makings of a successful film: Good cast and a good story.

However, the drawbacks are that Baldwin did a mediocre job directing it and an even more mediocre job playing the lead. BUT, in spite of Baldwin's ineptness, it actually turned out to be a very good film. I would go see it again and I would take my family to see it (if they edited out the bedroom scene).

BOTTOM LINE: It's a wonderful and classic story with a wonderful cast and somehow this film has been able to overcome all of the obstacles that stood in its way. Hopkins was great, Hewitt was terrific, Cattrall was excellent and Akroyd, as usual did a very good job.

Don't be put off by all the negative hype, go see it for yourself!!