Bewitched [WS]

Director: Nora Ephron Nora Ephron

Overview

Nora Ephron directed and co-wrote this updated adaptation of a classic situation comedy that also casts a satirical eye on the entertainment industry. Jack Wyatt (Will Ferrell) is a movie star whose career has been going into a slow and steady decline. Desperate for a project that will give his reputation a jump start, Jack agrees to star in a film version of the once-popular television series Bewitched as hapless hubby Darrin Stephens, under the condition that an unknown actress be cast as the female lead so he won't be upstaged. After auditioning dozens of women who fail to make the grade, Jack meets lovely and charming Isabel Bigelow (Nicole Kidman), and is immediately certain she's the perfect choice to play witch-turned-housewife Samantha. However, there's one thing neither Jack nor the producers of the film know -- Isabel really is a witch, and while she's been trying to get along without her powers to better fit in among mortals, she will use her special talents when need be. The film also stars Michael Caine as Isabel's father, Nigel, Shirley MacLaine as Iris Smythson (the actress hired to play Endora), and Jason Schwartzman as Jack's agent.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/25/2005
UPC:	0043396102101
Original Release:	2005
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	Sony Pictures
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:42:00
Sales rank:	29,263

Special Features

Closed Caption;Deleted scenes; Director's commentary; Behind-the-scenes featuretes; Witch vision trivia track; And more

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Nicole Kidman	Isabel Bigelow
Will Ferrell	Jack Wyatt
Shirley MacLaine	Iris Smythson / Endora
Jason Schwartzman	Ritchie
Kristin Chenoweth	Maria Kelly
Heather Burns	Nina
Stephen Colbert	Stu Robison
David Alan Grier	Jim Fields
Carole Shelley	Aunt Clara
Steve Carell	Uncle Arthur
Katie Finneran	Sheila Wyatt
Conan O'Brien	Conan O'Brien
Jarrad Paul	Valet
Amy Sedaris	Gladys Kravitz
Richard Kind	Abner Kravitz
Ken Hudson Campbell	Writer,Writer
P.J. Byrne	Writer
Carole Androsky	Realtor,Realtor
Annie Mumolo	Bed, Bath and Beyond Shopper
Clay Bravo	Coffee Shop Waitress
Heather Maristella	Beverly Hills Hotel Hostess
Jonathan T. Floyd	Cable Man
Ed McMahon	Ed McMahon
Alison MacInnis	Auditioning Actress
Bridget Brno	Auditioning Actress
Dana Daurey	Auditioning Actress
Heather Freedman	Beverly Hills Hotel Hostess
Jennifer Elise Cox	Auditioning Actress
Laura Sorenson	Auditioning Actress
Brittany Krall	Auditioning Actress
Dawn Ashley Cook	Auditioning Actress
Roxanne Beckford	Francine
Hugh Davidson	Network Executive
Katharine Carroll	Auditioning Actress
Susan Chuang	Press Conference Reporter
Mo Rocca	E! Reporter
Wendi McLendon-Covey	E! Anchor
Julie Claire	Hillary
Julia Schuler	Auditioning Actress
Valerie Azlynn	Gorgeous Model
Victor Williams	Police Officer
Jennifer Hall	Book Soup Cafe Waitress
Molly Gordon	Trick-or-Treater
Nick Lachey	Vietnam Soldier
Abbey DiGregorio	Auditioning Actress
Dick York	Darrin Stephens (archive)
Joe Zymblosky	Randall
J.J. Sacha	Voice-Over Announcer
Jordan Black	Press Conference Photographer
Jason George	E! Anchor
Terry Savage	Dinner Party Guest
Dianne Dreyer	Production Staff Assistant
Kate Walsh	Sexy Waitress
Liesel Staubitz	Trick-or-Treater
Ruby Rose Skotchdopole	Trick-or-Treater
George Fenton	Composer

Technical Credits

Nora Ephron	Director,Producer
Douglas Wick	Producer
Penny Marshall	Producer
Lucy Fisher	Producer
Bobby Cohen	Executive Producer
James W. Skotchdopole	Executive Producer
Steven H. Berman	Executive Producer
Eliza Coleman	Stunts

Editorial Reviews

Not just a remake of the classic TV sitcom, this ambitious and generally amusing spin-off uses the same basic premise while adding meta-spin on things. It begins with fading movie star Jack Wyatt (Will Ferrell) reluctantly accepting the role of Darrin in an updated version of the ‘60s TV show. Along with his somewhat oily agent (Jason Schwartzman), Jack attempts to turn the project into a showcase for himself and therefore insists on casting a total unknown as Samantha. Enter Isabel Bigelow (Nicole Kidman), a real-life witch who’d love nothing better than to leave her past and powers behind, much to the chagrin of her suave, sarcastic father (Michael Caine). The impossibility of doing so animates much of the plot, during the course of which Isabel rather improbably falls for the egotistical, too-clever-by-half actor. Kidman makes a charming witch and a perfect foil for Ferrell, whose improvisational antics steal the show (and continue to get laughs with alternate takes played over the end credits). The script, written by director Nora Ephron with her sister Delia, is a bit uneven and offers more opportunities for Ferrell than for Kidman. But it gives some pungent lines to supporting players Caine and Shirley MacLaine, who’s a hoot as the superannuated spell caster hired to play Endora. Best of all may be Steve Carell, who channels Paul Lynne and plays it to the hilt as Uncle Arthur. One can’t help but feel that Ephron and company failed to realize the concept’s full potential, but on the whole Bewitched works wonderfully well as a comedic showcase for its personable stars.