Bedazzled

  • Review Date: May 19, 2003
  • PG-13
  • Genre: Comedy
  • 2000
Review

Common Sense Media says

Charming Fraser Faustian tale with lots of sexual innuendo.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that playful sexual innuendo is a major component of this movie. There are lots of references to penis size, some comic depiction of homosexuality, and scenes in which characters flash their private parts off camera. Many of the women are seen in tight, revealing clothing throughout, including the female “devil” who displays her “attributes” in dozens of clinging, scanty outfits. A couple of action sequences are played for humor with gunplay, car crashes, and falls that result in no injury or death. Hell is depicted as a vast party scene complete with fire and brimstone. There’s occasional swearing and potty language as well as some social drinking. One series of scenes finds the hero unwittingly involved in cocaine distribution in South America.

  • Positive messages3
    This film is a retelling of the Faust legend and there are lots of clearly stated messages, some to purposely corny effect. “Be careful of what you wish for” plays prominently throughout. Additionally, the movie instructs that “wishing doesn’t work like magic" and “it’s not where we go, but how we get there." There's talk of the value of a soul and how it shouldn't be thought of lightly, the persuasive power of the devil, and the personal responsiblity everyone has in the choices they make, good and bad.
  • Positive role models3
    As lessons are learned the hero, originally a clueless nerd, finds happiness by being loyal, moral, and unselfish. The devil is seen throughout as seductive, manipulative, and brilliant, and yet adheres to a strict code of dishonor and evil.
  • Violence1
    Cartoon-style violence includes: a brief gun battle in which no one is shot or hurt; a devil-inspired multiple car crash in which no one is injured; a scary devil-figure; a quick shot of two drooling dogs gnashing their teeth; and finally, the leading character is shown falling long distances several times as he “transports” from one scene to another with no resulting consequence or injury.
  • Sex2
    Lots of sexual innuendo and numerous women in scanty clothing throughout. Leading female character (“the devil”) appears in one very sexy outfit after another: low cut tops, mini-skirts, clingy pants and jumpsuits. There are numerous references to penis size (it’s a recurring theme) and some of the characters (but not the audience) get a good look at the hero’s “winkie.” Passionate kissing is shown in several scenes, but the only actual nudity is in the paintings that decorate some of the sets. Some sexy dancing.
  • Language2
    Occasional mild swearing and coarse language: “damn,” “hell,” “bastard,” “get into my pants,” “clitoris,” “teeny weeny winkie,” “banged me,” “ass,” “bad s--t,” and one character issues a middle finger “salute.”
  • Consumerism1
    Some product mentions including McDonald’s, Tylenol, The Sporting News, Tic Tacs.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking2
    The “devil” smokes. Several scenes take place in bars or in party settings as the characters drink while socializing. In one lengthy sequence the hero has been turned into a drug kingpin and transported to South America; cocaine is the focus of this very stylized parody.
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What's the story?

Brendan Fraser is one of the most versatile actors around, which makes him a perfect choice for the role of Elliot, a nerdy guy who longs for the beautiful Allison. But after four years working in the same firm, he has managed to speak to her only once, and that was about the weather. When he whispers that he would give anything to have her, that is all the invitation that the devil (Elizabeth Hurley) needs to make him an offer he can't refuse -- seven wishes in exchange for his soul. But as anyone who has ever read a fairy tale knows, wishes are a tricky business. Elliot wishes to be rich, powerful, and married to Allison. He is instantly all three -- and a Colombian drug lord. And Allison hates him. Elliot stumbles his way through his wishes, each time adding in what he left out before only to find that he has created yet another loophole. He may be rich, smart, popular, sensitive, and well-endowed, but somehow it never works out the way he hoped.

Is it any good?

 

The classic English comedy written in 1967 by Peter Cook and starring Cook and Dudley Moore has been Americanized. In other words, BEDAZZLED has less deadpan humor, sly wit, and existential comedy and more jokes about penis size. But it is still delicious fun. It may not leave you bedazzled, but it will leave you happy.

Fraser is wonderful, almost unrecognizable as he moves from sensitive poet to basketball superstar. Hurley may not be up to the acting challenge, but she looks like a million bucks in a series of hilarous get-ups, and she has that most important attribute of a movie bad guy -- an English accent. The rest of the cast does not have much to do beyond wardrobe switches as they play different roles in each scenario, but Frances O'Connor (Allison) has a great smile and Orlando Jones (of The Replacements) has a couple of good moments. Gabriel Casseus makes a strong impression as someone who gives Elliot some good advice.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about what wishes they would like to make, whether they would make them if they had a chance, and what the Devil means when she says that you don't have to look very far for Heaven and Hell. Ask kids what they think a soul is, and whether it can be sold.

  •  What did
    Elliot learn from his mistakes? Why was it so hard for him to be
    likeable and to see how others perceived him at the beginning of the
    movie? How was he different after the wishes? Was the ending what they
    expected?

This review was written by Nell Minow
Teen, 14 years old
April 2, 2011
AGE
14
 
Great movie
It is a great movie, the movie is 12+, but bonus features 15+.
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This review was written by Nell Minow
Studio:Twentieth Century Fox
Director:Harold Ramis
Cast:Brendan Fraser, Elizabeth Hurley, Frances O'Connor
Genre:Comedy
Run time:93 minutes
Theatrical release date:October 20, 2000
DVD release date:April 15, 2003
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:sex-related humor, language and some drug content.
This review was written by Nell Minow
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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