Bewitched

Movie review by Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Bewitched Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

So-so romantic comedy; only somewhat clever.

PG-13 2005 90 minutes
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Parents say

age 10+

Based on 16 reviews

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 25 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

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.

Community Reviews

Meanca
Meanca Adult
May 3, 2021
age 13+

Unnecessary sexual language

I saw that parents consider the film to be suitable for 9+ but I really can't agree with that. There were references to the male lead being on a one way ticket to pussy town, a character said her and her ex husband ended up having sex on a piece of gym equipment and the lead female asks her friend what a dick is and later on references it as a male reproductive organ. I'm sure there's more but at this point I turned the film off. These were completely unnecessary to the story line and could quite easily have been omitted. Why not just say the lady and her ex husband made out on the gym equipment, or call the lead male a moron instead of a dick? Sexual references in family films are completely unnecessary, inappropriate and unacceptable. I'm no prude but can film makers please stop including sexual words and references in PG films? Children do not need to be hearing about these things.

This title has:

Too much sex
1 person found this helpful.
UKMumof2
UKMumof2 Adult
December 31, 2017
age 8+

Sweet film that appeals to all ages

Chose this film on British cable TV as it was rated PG and we seem to have seen literally everything else. Got a bit worried when I read some of the reviews on here. It's a sweet film with both a nostalgic and modern feel. It's important to know that the language (pussy & tool) are used as insults against the Will Ferrell character. While both are used more than once it is quick succession but in separate scenes. They are not used in a sexual way. "Dick" is used once in a fairly subtle and clever way, again as an insult, but later changed to "male reproductive organ". It will make sense to adults when you watch it. Also the nudity is in a #spoiler dream sequence about being embarrassed and again not sexual or particularly gratuitous. A couple of mild references to sexual relationships but nothing I was at all uncomfortable with. Really glad I watched this film with my daughter's.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 16 parent reviews

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

Movie Details

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