Bewitched - PG-13

So-so romantic comedy; only somewhat clever.

Rating: PG-13 for some language, including sex and drug references, and partial nudity Studio: Columbia Tristar Directed By: Nora Ephron Cast: Will Ferrell, Nicole Kidman, Shirley MacLaine Running Time: 90 minutes Release Date: 06/24/2005 Genre: Comedy

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this movie, like the original TV series, may be cute but it also offers a somewhat skewed picture of a woman and her power. Samantha (Kidman) lies about her true nature and abilities in order to get what she wants. She uses her powers but then feels guilty about doing so, and her heart's desire is to find a "man who needs me." The film includes some language (for example, "pussy," "dick," "giant male reproductive organ"), brief drinking and smoking, mildly comic drug and sexual allusions.

Families might talk about Jack the actor's massive ego. How does the film connect his selfishness to his profession (all actors are narcissistic) or his gender (men are insecure but pretend to be arrogant)? Families might also discuss Isabel's decision to take the TV role, knowing that to appear "normal" she will be lying about her true nature. And how does the relationship between bigheaded Jack and cunning Isabel reinforce gender stereotypes?

Rate It!

Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Cynthia Fuchs

Nicole Kidman's first romantic comedy begins with a clever concept, but remains stuck in that first gear. The basic structure of BEWITCHED is meta: real witch Isabel (Kidman) is hired to play a fake witch on a TV remake of the Elizabeth Montgomery series. And indeed, Isabel wants what the original Samantha wanted, a "normal" (mortal) existence. To this end, she bows to her skeptical father (Michael Caine) that she will no longer use her powers. Living in the San Fernando Valley, however, she's surrounded by abnormality in the form of L.A. actors and artifice (as one actor puts it, "Actors look normal, but deep down, there is no deep down"). She soon finds herself cast as Samantha, costarring with Jack (Will Ferrell), a fading movie star trying to resuscitate his career on the small screen. He and his scheming agent (Jason Schwartzman) hope that Isabel's inexperience and lack of fame will mean he can "steal the show."

Maneuvering to take the spotlight, laughs, and good lines, Jack pushes docile Isabel aside (he's not a little boastful: "I always look great, that's a given"). For no clear reason, she agrees to everything he wants, seeming to think this is how human women behave to "win" their male mates (being a witch means, apparently, that she has not sense of self as a human). Inevitably, Jack's immaturity becomes unbearable (this even as Ferrell is relatively subdued in the role), and Isabel conspires with her flustery Aunt Clara (Carole Shelley), cynical assistant Nina (Heather Burns), and squealy neighbor Maria (Kristin Chenoweth) -- all broadly caricatured "supporting females," as if nothing has changed from the '60s -- to put a hex on Jack, so he will be nice. More than nice: he will be wholly devoted to his new paramour Isabel.

The amusingly shifting grounds for Isabel and Jack's romance -- as Samantha and Darrin, as sweet young lovers dancing on a stage-set, as competing actors -- eventually give way to formula. Ferrell and his designated sidekicks (Steve Carell as Uncle Arthur, David Alan Grier as a sycophantic assistant) are only repeating -- either parts from the TV series or parts they've played before. At least Kidman again reveals her light, precise comic touch (see also: 1995's To Die For), and Shirley MacLaine is appropriately outsized as Iris, the TV actor playing Endora. All grand entrances and gauzy purple sleeves, she doesn't look dated, but rather, as if she's still waiting for the rest of us to catch up.

Families who like this movie might want to revisit the TV series on which it's based, as the first season is now available on DVD. You might also watch Practical Magic (another Nicole Kidman-as-a-witch movie), 1958's Bell Book and Candle (starring a charming Kim Novak), The Addams Family (1991), Mary Poppins, or even The Craft (rated R, it features teenaged witches).

Rate It!

Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Very mild, mostly in forms of jokes.
Violence Some flying on a broomstick and whirling around.
Language Obnoxious language to designate arrogance and ignorance.
Message
	Social Behavior Lying, cheating, casting spells.
	Commercialism TV set catering and expressed concerns about marketing the TV series; footage from original series to sell newly available DVD.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Some drinking and smoking.