 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Bewitched
- Review Date: October 23, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2005
Common Sense Media says
So-so romantic comedy; only somewhat clever.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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AGE
some sexual content, the only profanity i heard were d*ck and p*ssy and... yeah
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AGE
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.
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AGE
I love Will!
I love this movie! Will Ferrel is so funny! I love him! This movie is kid and 2+ appropriat!!!
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AGE
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!
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AGE
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!!!
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AGE
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.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 19, 2010
AGE
should be a TV show
good but should be TV-G.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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+
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| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Nora Ephron |
| Cast: | Nicole Kidman, Shirley MacLaine, Will Ferrell |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 90 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 24, 2005 |
| DVD release date: | October 25, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some language, including sex and drug references, and partial nudity. |
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