Cast: Nicole Kidman, Will Ferrell, Shirley MacLaine, Michael Caine, Jason Schwartzman, Kristin Chenoweth Director: Nora Ephron Genre: Comedy MPAA: rated PG-13 for some language, including sex and drug references, and partial nudity.
Nudity: PG-13 equivalent; scene of partial male nudity Profanity: PG equivalent; approx. 5 profanities Sex: PG-13 equivalent; sexual dialogue Violence: PG equivalent; slapstick Other: PG-13 equivalent; drug references
Popular actor Jack Wyatt (Will Ferrell), suffering from a recent box office failure, decides to portray Darrin in the new retooled version of "Bewitched" the television series. Yet does he know his character wife, Samantha, played by the lovely Hollywood newcomer Isabel Bigelow (Nicole Kidman) is in fact a real life witch.
Bewitched couldn't be more inaccurately titled; this is a title that suggests audiences are about to be captivated, mesmerized, entranced. In the end, Bewitched is a disenchanted feature. The magic must have left with Elizabeth Montgomery (Samantha from the television series).
Director Nora Ephron resume includes "Lucky Numbers" (John Travolta), "You've Got Mail" (Tom Hanks), "Michael" (John Travolta), "Mixed Nuts" (Steve Martin), "Sleepless in Seattle" (Tom Hanks), and "This Is My Life" (Julie Kavner).
Despite the films numerous shortcomings, particularly it's absence of laughs, which seems to be a nearly impossible effort considering the potential for humor here, the cast does step up to the plate and deliver scraps of smirks and chuckles. Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman ("The Hours") is effective as the innocent, sweet natured witch, who seems to have adapted her character out of the 50s. Comedian Will Ferrell ("Kicking & Screaming", "Melinda and Melinda") is outrageous as usual, delivering the majority of the chuckles via his physical humor.
The wasted cast includes Shirley MacLaine ("Used People", "Mrs. Winterbourne"), Michael Caine ("Get Carter", "Batman Begins"), Jason Schwartzman ("Rushmore", "I Heart Huckabees"), Kristin Chenoweth, David Alan Grier ("3 Strikes", "Jumanji"), and Steve Carell ("Melinda and Melinda", "Bruce Almighty"), who is unfortunately given little screen time.
Bewitchedhas run out of tricks and its cast have retreated to juggling. Once viewing, it's more likely audiences will be forming a witch hunt rather than applauding.
