By: debbie lynn elias
Isabel Bigelow wants to be normal. No more magic. No more twitching. Just plain and normal. Her desire to be just a normal girl is so strong that she even moves into the San Fernando Valley (GASP!) So, let’s forget the fact that she used her witchcraft to get the house, grow the blooming dogwoods, put a brand new car in the garage and furnish her home in elegantly charming. Finding out that without her witchcraft she needs a job, Isabel stumbles into the job of a lifetime – as an actress.
Seems that while Isabel has been planning her normal life, actor Jack Wyatt has been planning his career comeback following a horrifically received performance in the black and white “Last Year in Katmandu.” Egomaniacal to a tee, Jack is offered (or rather his agent begs) the part of a lifetime, that of Darren Stephens in an updated version of the beloved Sol Saks television classic “Bewitched.” The next step is simple – cast Samantha. With his ego in full swing and determined not to be upstaged by any known actress, Jack demands that an unknown be cast, but that’s not as easy as it looks since there is one crucial talent that the actress must possess – the ability to twitch her nose like Elizabeth Montgomery in the TV series. As luck would have it, Jack spies Isabel’s twitchy nose in a bookstore and the rest as they say is history. Or is it?
Written by Nora Ephron, Delia Ephron and Adam McKay, one would expect a dynamic script tailor made to the film’s principals. After all, Ephron was responsible for hits like “You’ve Got Mail” and “Sleepless in Seattle” while McKay had a comedy blockbuster for penning “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy”, a Will Farrell vehicle. Sadly, the finished product from this team falls short of any expectations of excellence. What starts out as a smart concept, having the film be about the making of a new “Bewitched” TV show, slowly spirals into a mish-mosh of underdeveloped or undeveloped story lines that result in frustration for the viewer and disappointment at the lack of a story arc. Wasted is the sub-plot involving Nigel and Iris – especially given the talents of Caine and MacLaine. Never fleshed out, some incredible comedic opportunities were lost with this one. Also, the “romance” between Jack and Isabel doesn’t quite come full circle and instead relies prim arily on scenes with them acting as Darren and Samantha, thus giving the illusion that their personal romance mirrors their tv one. Characters, such as the bumbling Aunt Clara, are introduced but never brought to fruition and the dialogue, at times, seems forced and not well thought out.
A big plus though – there is enough looseness within the script to let Nicole Kidman sparkle with giddiness and glee – not something we have ever had a chance to see from her on screen. She is a beguiling delight! With a delectable innocence, her scenes with Michael Caine, playing up the “Oh, Daddy!” to the hilt, will connect with every Daddy’s Little Girl out there (yes, even me). The roll of the eyes, the bat of the lashes, the little pout. Oh yeah – she’s got that nailed.
Despite the shortcomings of the script, the film is cute and entertaining and that is thanks to Kidman and her chemistry with Will Farrell. An adorable nutball, Farrell’s childlike innocence is like a breathe of fresh air that is carried by the lilt of Kidman’s laughter. When at his most egomaniacal as Jack, Farrell tends to be annoying, but when the story lets the character be “free” from his Hollywood mentality, Farrell is at his most enjoyable. Disappointingly, Shirley MacLaine is wasted in her screen incarnation of Endora. The only possible casting choice for this unforgettable character, MacLaine’s screen time is minimal. As to be expected though, she does make the most of that time, giving us an over-the-top performance that would rival that of the original Endora , Agnes Moorhead. Likewise, Michael Caine’s Nigel gets lost in the shuffle and seems to be merely a conduit for Kidman’s one-liners.
Heather Burns, one of the most under-rated supporting actresses out there, gives a nice turn as production assistant Nina while Jason Schwartzman as Jack’s agent Ritchie gives further evidence of his chameleon-like ability to transform into any character. Richard Kind and Amy Sedaris are dead on as nosey neighbors Abner and Gladys Kravitz while Steve Carell is a hoot as the late Paul Lynde playing Uncle Arthur.
Directed by Nora Ephron as well, despite its shortcoming, there is a niceness that pervades the film that helps compensate for the deficiencies in the script (which in themselves leave you yearning for a sequel). And although Ephron ultimately turns the film over to the development of the Jack and Isabel romance, it’s a bit too late for romantic believability and at the same time misses out by ignoring the “making of a tv show within the film” concept. Where the film does excel, however, is with the mix of original “Bewitched” black & white TV footage interlaced with present day. It is especially effective as a tool for Isabel to connect with the real “Samantha” and not only pays homage to Elizabeth Montgomery, but provides a solid anchor for the film as a whole.
Kudos go to the technical excellence of the film. Shot in and around Culver City and at The Culver Studios and Sony, familiar Culver City landmarks (including one of our City buses) pop up all around. And thanks to “Spider-Man 2” production designer, Neil Spisak, every scene is picture perfect. Hats off to the special effects and visual effects teams at Sony for their magic. From Endora’s puff of smoke to Aunt Clara’s inimitable brand of witchcraft to the wink of a Liz Montgomery Samantha doll, the crew completely captured the magical essence of the TV show (which, of course, is what everyone wants to see!)
Fifteen years in the making, despite its faults, “Bewitched” is a film not to be missed. From the twitch of Nicole’s nose to the comedically appropriate soundtrack (like “Dong Dong, the Witch is Dead” from that other famous Culver City made movie), there is a nostalgic magic that is, let’s face it – simply bewitching! Witches Honor!
Nicole Kidman: Isabel Bigelow/Samantha Will Farrell: Jack Wyatt/Darren Shirley MacLaine: Iris Smythson/Endora Michael Caine: Nigel Bigelow
Directed by Nora Ephron. Written by Nora Ephron, Delia Ephron and Adam McKay. Rated PG-13. (102 min)
