'''Bewitched''' is a
2005 comedy film produced by
Columbia Pictures and inspired by
the classic television series of the same name. The film was released in the
United States and
Canada on
June 24 2005. It was directed by
Nora Ephron and featured as co-stars
Nicole Kidman and
Will Ferrell. It was rated
PG-13 in the
US, and PG in the
UK and
Australia. The film began filming in 2004 and was finished by early 2005.
According to the teaser
[1], it was originally scheduled for release in July, but instead, it opened on
June 24,
2005.
Plot/Summary
The film is not an adaptation of the television series, but more of an homage. It is about a witch named Isabel Bigelow (Kidman) who wants to give up magic and have a normal life, despite her magic-loving father's warnings that she can't live without it. She meets a failing movie star named Jack (Ferrell) who wants to find an unknown actress to play a witch — and his wife — in a TV show, a modern adaptation of the classic TV show ''
Bewitched''.
When she becomes more popular than him and unintentionally takes the spotlight away, the pompous, self-centered Jack decides to downplay her role and make the show focus on Darrin (thus garnering the audience's attention). Isabel becomes angry when she finds out (since he told her during her auditions that he "needed her") and furiously tells him that he's a jerk. The harsh words, strangely enough, appeal to Jack who never had anyone speak their mind to him before, especially his ex-wife (who he claimed preferred to just lock him out of the house). He begins to give her bigger roles and the two begin to fall in love. Isabel feels guilty for hiding her powers from Jack however, and shows him her powers. He becomes upset that she might be using magic to manipulate his emotions and leaves her. Devastated, Isabel decides to return home, where she must stay for 100 years once she returns. Jack realizes that he loves Isabel for real after all and tries to find her before she returns home. To his surprise, he finds her at the studio, which she considers her "home". Jack proposes to her and she accepts.
Meanwhile the "spirits" of the old ''
Bewitched'' television show work their own magic on Isabel and Jack by ensuring that the couple ends up in a happy union of witch to mortal like on the original series. The home in which Isabel and Jack finally settle in together is numbered "1164" as a nod to the house address from the original TV series: 1164 Morning Glory Circle.
Criticism
★ The movie was panned by critics
[2] yet earned $127,438,981 in worldwide box-office. The movie had a budget of US $85 million.
★ The pairing of
Nicole Kidman and
Will Ferrell earned a
Razzie Award for "Worst Screen Couple" in a 2005 film.
Movie facts
United States Information:
★ Release date:
June 24 2005
★
DVD and
UMD Release Date:
October 25 2005
★
VHS Release Date:
December 20 2005
★ Running Time: 102 minutes
★ Rating: PG-13 for some language including sex and drug references and partial nudity
Trivia
★ The role of
Dr. Bombay was given to actor
Fred Willard for a sequence that was cut from the film.
★
Shirley Maclaine insisted that her role be changed to that of an actress who was ''also'' a sorceress.
★
Jim Carrey was offered the role of struggling film actor Jack Wyatt but chose to star in another Sony remake ''
Fun with Dick and Jane''
★ ''
The Office (US TV series)'' star
Steve Carell makes an extended cameo as
Uncle Arthur who suddenly appears before Jack.
★ After Nicole Kidman saw
Kristin Chenoweth perform in
Wicked, she approached Chenoweth and promised her a role in her next film. She kept the promise when Chenoweth received a role in Bewitched.
External links
★ ''
Bewitched'' Official Theatre Site — Must be 13 or older to enter, and you must be 18 or older to register.
★ ''
Bewitched'' Official Home Entertainment Site — Must be 13 or older to enter, and you must be 18 or older to order from here.
★
★
Film Locations
★
Movie Project History from a Bewitched fan site
★
Nicole Kidman interview for Bewitched