Bewitched (PG-13, 2005)

common sense media says

So-so romantic comedy; only somewhat clever.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

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.

Positive messages: Lying, cheating, casting spells.
Violence: Some flying on a broomstick and whirling around.
Sex: Very mild, mostly in forms of jokes.
Language: Obnoxious language to designate arrogance and ignorance.
Consumerism: TV set catering and expressed concerns about marketing the TV series; footage from original series to sell newly available DVD.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some drinking and smoking.

More on Bewitched

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can 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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Hired to play a fake witch on a TV remake of the Elizabeth Montgomery series, real witch Isabel (Nicole Kidman) is thrilled, since she desperately wants what the original Samantha wanted, a "normal" (mortal) existence. Indeed, she promises her skeptical father (Michael Caine) that she will no longer use her powers. Everything changes when she's cast as Samantha, costarring with Jack (Will Ferrell), a fading movie star trying to resuscitate his career. Attempting to "steal the show," Jack hogs the spotlight, laughs, and good lines, pushing docile Isabel aside. When she's had enough, Isabel conspires with her flustery Aunt Clara (Carole Shelley), cynical assistant Nina (Heather Burns), and squealy neighbor Maria (Kristin Chenoweth) to put a hex on Jack, so he will be nice. More than nice: he will be wholly devoted to his new paramour Isabel.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
This romantic comedy begins with a clever concept, but remains stuck in that first gear. The amusingly shifting grounds for Isabel and Jack's romance eventually give way to formula. Ferrell and his sidekicks (Steve Carell as Uncle Arthur, David Alan Grier as a sycophantic assistant) are repeating either parts from the TV series or parts they've played before. For no clear reason Isabel lets Jack step all over her, as if she thinks this is how human women behave to "win" their male mates. And Aunt Clara, Nina, and Maria are all broadly caricatured "supporting females," as if nothing has changed from the '60s.

At least Kidman again reveals her light, precise comic touch, 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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Columbia Tristar
Director: Nora Ephron
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Shirley MacLaine, Will Ferrell
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: June 24, 2005
DVD release: October 25, 2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: some language, including sex and drug references, and partial nudity.

This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12

Most useful reviews by all members

uhya
teen, 13 years old
 
some sexual content, the only profanity i heard were d*ck and p*ssy and... yeah

Little movie freak
teen, 15 years old
 
Will Ferrell film is very funny and entertaing.A - .
(Bewitched) stars Will Ferrell(from Elf) and Nicole Kidman(from The Golden Compass). i first really had no interest in Will Ferrell,but now I do. Micheal Cain, Shirley MacLaine, Jason Schwartzman, Stephan Colbert,and Steve Carell co - star in this hilarious,entertaining little comedy.Both Will Ferrell and Steve Carell have proved that they are both very funny actors and that they can act in a very well matter. A few bad words in this movie and two or three sexual references and situations and that's about it in this based on early TV show.I give Bewitched an A - and on for only tweens 11+.Very funny film and an entertaining one too.

 
appropriate for teens and older

mustlovedogs500
teen, 13 years old
 
I love Will!
I love this movie! Will Ferrel is so funny! I love him! This movie is kid and 2+ appropriat!!!

mrt123
teen, 16 years old
 
blech
ya know this movie is pretty clean and most kids will be able to see it but really, why bother? this movie kinda got me mad because its a real waste of talent. i mean this movie has great actors like steve carrel and will feral and omg micheal cane! thats an amazing cast! unfortunately the cast is the only good thing about it. its very slow and the plot is retarded. the jokes are pretty corny and the whole thing is just pretty boring! its the kind of movie that you only wanna watch if there is nothing else on so yah its ok for like 10 and up but just dont waste your money please!

swimgirl
teen, 18 years old
 
Boring...
I thought this would be an interesting movie but it was very boring and the plot didn't seem to go anywhere. Please help me understand if you liked this movie!!!

 
Skip it!
Nichole Kidman is a dead ringer for the original Bewitched Elizabeth Montgomery. She is adorable (how do they make her look so young?) Unfortunately, they gave her a really dippy part. They play her as a niave, codependant, dumb blond who is just entering the "mortal" world and has much to learn. She longs to find a man who is terribly scattered and who "needs her." Will Farrel is good at playing silly parts (not funny, just silly). His charactor is simple minded, self centered and goes out of his way to get adulation, not to mention, newly divorced. Why any girl would fall for him is beyond me. This film is dumb, but in my opinion, not harmless. True, there are no big sex scenes and no violence. However, I feel that as parents, allowing our kids to watch films where people make grossly unwise decisions about life parters, and are glorified for it, is just a damaging, if not more. It's a shame they let Nichole Kidman and the wonderful, intelligent, witty, charactor of Samantha go to waste. I wish they could remake the remake.

haddad fan
kid, 12 years old
 
should be a TV show
good but should be TV-G.

 
More entertaining than I expected.
I took two teenagers, a 16 year old girl and a 13 year old boy to see Bewitched at the movie theater. We saw it to fulfill the 16 year old's birthday treat. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it but was surprised that I enjoyed it. The comedy was light and funny. The acting was spot on. Great for a DVD famlily rental evening.

 
A movie that was a TV Show that is remaking the TV show
This movie is not taking on the show. They are remaking the show for 2005 in the movie. 12+

Blurbie
adult
 
Not my thing...
Well, there was so much hype about it but it turned out to be only an "okay movie", you know, one of those ones that you watch once and then don't really care if it gets run over by a truck before the next time you goe to watch (that is if you do) because hey, the static makes it WAY more interesting... This movie bored me.

 
i laughed i thought it was great and totally great for kids
it was a great movie and i think any ages should be able to see it it was really funny.

CSM Screen ...
teen, 14 years old
 
It was so cool.
I cracked up like so many time. You have to see this movie!

 
Fun movie, but has 2 bad words make it not for little ones.
Overall the movie was cute and fun. Two bad (nor horrific, but not words I'd want my 8 1/2 year old hearing) words I think warranted the PG-13 rating. Too bad - I think my son would have enjoyed this one.

 
Adorable!
This movie was adorable and quite enjoyable. The only weak part was towards the end, where it became a little formulaic. Although Samantha uses her powers to get what she wants, she realizes when she has gone too far and 'rewinds'. Although there were a few instances of poor language, they were few and far between.

 
Slightly Disappointed!
I liked the movie except I was a little disappointed! I Expected a more modern version of the old T.V. series in the form of a movie. Not a movie about remaking the old T.V. series? Other than that slight disappointment it was a very cute, and funny movie. The actors and actresses did a very good job of playing the parts of Samantha, Darren, and Endora. Overall a very good movie to see.

jk320
adult
 
Bewitched By Bewitched
Iam a huge fan of the series Bewitched witch is totally appropriate for every age and although the movie has some questionable language it pays a lot of homagw to the original in a great way. The clips from the show are not commercial in any way, they make people interested in the wonderful show and create the back drop for what the basic plot of the movie and show are. Love. He may not have her powers and as a male he wants her to abide by his ways, and she tries but things get in the way. But even through their faults and forces trying to pull them apart, they love eachother and that's all that mattered. Watch A is for Ardvak on the first season of the original series and you will see real tears of the star feeling the emotion of the story and you will wish you could find a love like their's. The movie may not demonstrate that as well as Elizabeth Montgomery and d**k York/Sargent but it's only a movie. Think of it as a way for people to remember what a wonderful old fashion idea it was that a whole family could sit together and watch a show that will both make them laugh and really think.

 
The movie was cursed..
Not a great movie... the TV show was much more charming. They tried to do too much by making the movie about real witch doing a TV show about a witch (too convoluted, lost its *charm*)Cheesy and silly. Younger kids might not get the romance and get bored.

 
Great date movie!
My husband and I went to see this on a date. I loved it and he liked it. We both laughed a ton. I thought it was charming. I will be buying the DVD.

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