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 BEWITCHED
By
Carol Lane Patterson
Vice-President, Publications
Women In Film, Las Vegas Chapter
Editor, WIFLV "Marquee" Newsletters/Newsflashes
http://www.wiflasvegas.org
Wild Child Entertainment
www.wildchildfilm.com
 
Charming. Cute. Sweet. A re-tread--certainly. A disappointing franchise
attempt? No. Not with this cast, not with this modernized story, and not
with the endorsement of the former "Bewitched" branding-clips from the old
series, the music and hints that Elizabeth Montgomery, the first Samantha,
actually was a witch-all contribute to a comfortable and pleasantly
entertaining film.
Anyone hearing the strains of the old TV show, "Bewitched," (if they liked
it, they loved it,) get the warm fuzzies that come with good memories and
the familiarity of the shows of yesteryear. While out and about, or at home,
hearing the "Bewitched" tune evokes the promise of visiting with 'old
friends' and reliving witch-ly experiences that were silly, but funny.
Nicole Kidman never disappoints, even in a reasonably good film like
Bewitched, a 'spinoff' of the 60's television sitcom "Bewitched." Nor does
she have a tough time following the memorable Elizabeth Montgomery's
twitchy-nose portrayal of Samantha, the witch with an itch to 'be normal,'
complete with a mortal husband, cute house surrounded by the be-flowered
white picket fence, and an ingenuous attempt to live without resorting to
magic. Kidman brings her considerable talent to the character, Isabel
Bigelow, a young witch of today, who wishes to experience life in a new
paradigm where everything isn't remedied with a snap of the fingers. She
'acquires' a home and goes about the business of getting a job without
magic...when one is offered to her...magically enough. Kidman is cute when
she laughs, seems comfortable in her character bouncing and jumping about
cheerfully, gleefully unaware of just about everything 'normal.'
And what costume designer wouldn't love to snag this gig to come up with
ultra-chic ensembles to hang on that slender, nearly 6-foot tall frame? The
kicky skirts, silk tops and over-the-top hats definitely evoked the
high-fashion look, with more than a nod to yesteryear fashions. Kidman
looked fabulous, was funny, cute and all smiley-adjectives I haven't used
before to describe her characters, not even for the departure from her usual
roles with her character in the Stepford Wives.
So, she is nearly 6 feet tall (5'10 ½".) In press interviews she laughingly
mentions she wears flats a lot. When she wears pumps, well, there you go. So
where do you go for her male lead, and a funny guy, to play Darrin to a 6
foot tall Samantha? Will Ferrell, standing tall at 6'3 ½", is an extreme
'match' for Kidman, and yet he acquits himself quite well, given his career
trends to comedy, and not that of a leading man. And he 'towers' over her by
a full 5". That he and she create romantic moments is good acting. Both spun
through their 'Funny Face' version of a courtship scene a la Audrey
Hepburn/Fred Astaire, with élan and an authenticity born of real smiles and
attention to character development. It appears she is going to do some
hoofing with penguins in her upcoming movie, Happy Feet. Until this point,
not really a Ferrell fan, his work in Bewitched makes his upcoming films
intriguing.
This season has Michael Caine month, though one has the enjoyment of the
actor more in Batman Begins, than in Bewitched. His butler lines and
presence are greater in Batman, than his fatherly role as Nigel Bigelow with
Kidman, and yet their moments together are a pleasure to watch. He is
under-utilized in Bewitched, and a stylish addition to the film, even though
his character's story line flows along to no purpose, and doesn't warrant
any closure in the script.
Nor does Shirley MacLaine's character, Endora seem to warrant much attention
from the director. Her character is also left unfinished. MacLaine's
delivery is a bit stilted, if not downright uncomfortable. It would seem
they didn't allow her enough time to settle into her role, as her career
demonstrates a sufficiently keen sense of comedic timing to allow for this
minor portrayal of the eccentric and very witch-ly followup of Agnes
Moorehead's wicked mother-in-law antics.
Young, perky Kristin Chenowith, (introduced this past season on "West Wing,"
as the spin doctor for Richard Schiff's character Toby,) is consistently
working these days. Her fast, witty delivery is a welcome foil to the Toby
character and she brings that same vivacity to Bewitched. She and Kidman hit
it off early in the story, and are believable 'friends' and easily duped
conspirators.
And Aunt Clara is in this script, not portrayed by Marion Lorne, but by
Carole Shelley, and is every bit as adorable. David Alan Grier reprised his
role in TV's "Life With Bonnie" with panache. An interesting Uncle Arthur,
Steve Carell, a Comedy Central graduate, has been signed to be Maxwell Smart
in the big screen version of that TV series of the same era. Paul Lynde he's
not, however his Uncle Arthur was as eerily mesmerizing.
Nora Ephron, the director, is prolific to say the least. Silkwood, When
Harry Met Sally, Michael, Sleepless in Seattle, Mixed Nuts, You've Got Mail,
Hanging Up, are just a few of the projects in which she was involved. She
did a fairly good job here-and could have been better-maybe she needs a
rest. The writers are of equal interest, saddled with breathing life back
into a TV series that went dormant just under 40 years ago. Delia Ephron,
Nora's sister, is lead writer, and has also been with Nora on several
projects (You've Got Mail, Michael, Hanging Up, Sleepless in Seattle, This
Is My Life, Mixed Nuts) and most recently shown with her script Sisterhood
Of The Traveling Pants. Currently not showing any future films, it would be
great if she would get another project going soon.
This lovely collaboration of Red Wagon Productions, Columbia and Sony
Pictures should do well in the box office ratings game, as word of mouth
gets around that a film without anything objectionable is out there for
those who can enjoy a film lacking violence, innuendo, and profanity.
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