bewitched [C]

moviemcpeake snippet: A romantic comedy. The weakest genre of movies. Once movies get the label romantic comedy, I think the writers, director, producers feel they can slack on story and just make it cute enough that 50% of the population will see. 50% being women, who will inevitable, drag their men to theaters. Some turn out ok or at least classics. The ones that are great are the ones that slapped the genre of drama or dark comedy because they didn’t want their film tainted with the romantic comedy label (understandably). Even Meg Ryan, the woman who made romantic comedies so successful has turned her back to them. So is Bewitched different? No. If you are a romantic comedy junkie (not that there is anything wrong with that), you will like it. If you loath romantic comedies, you will loath this movie as well.

I was hoping, Nicole Kidman would be worthy enough to carry the movie. I was hoping, since I liked the television series, I would enjoy this movie. I was not expecting an Oscar winner or anything close but I was hoping for a B rated movie. Besides, Will Farrell can be funny. Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine, round out the film as two other Oscar winners, bringing the total to three. Doesn’t that mean the film should be good?

I thought, maybe the actors just wanted to be part of a fun light-hearted movie. But it didn’t even look like they were having fun. Kidman looked a bit out of place, although she handles the cute romantic comedy leading role well. Farrell is awkward, which IS his humor style but it feels too real and makes it a bit creepy. Together, Kidman and Farrell never really seemed to have any on screen chemistry. Their romantic scenes were painful and forced. Caine, the charming father did fine, although he didn’t steal any scenes or leave an impression. But Caine has proven he likes to dabble in questionable films. Some end up being guilty pleasures, others make you wonder how one can balance such a strong actor career with such solid C movies. MacLaine, had the role that could have made the movie. She could have provided all the comic relief of the entire film, but her role was over the top and not in a funny way.

The storyline was weak, forced, but amusing. Yes, I did chuckle and often and my least favorite type of movies are romantic comedies. In general they tend to have weak storylines and unbelievable cheese endings. Bewitched, I’m afraid, is no different. If I want something unbelievable, I want to see the future, something whimsical, action, or great special effects, not a real witch playing a TV witch who ends up marrying an egoistical washed up actor.

recommendation: don't bother, just watch the reruns on tv.