Moral Assessment + Abhorrent + + Disturbing + + + Acceptable + + + + Wholesome + + + + + Exemplary Technical Assessment • Poor • • Below average • • • Average • • • • Above average • • • • • Excellent CINEMA Rating Guide VA For viewers of all ages V13 For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance V14 For viewers 14 and above V18 For mature viewers 18 and above NP Not for public viewing

Title: BEWITCHED Running Time:  100 min. Lead Cast: Nicole Kidman, Will Ferrell, Shirley MacLaine, Michael Caine, Jason Schwartzman, Kristin Chenoweth Director:  Nora Ephron Producer:  Lucy Fisher, Penny Marshall, Douglas Wick Screenwriter:  Delia Ephron, Nora Ephron, Adam McKay Music: George Fenton Editor:  Tia Nola, Stephen A. Rotter Genre: Comedy Cinematography:  John Lindley Distributor: Columbia Pictures Location:  Hollywood, California Technical Assessment:  • • • Moral Assessment:  + + ½ CINEMA Rating:   For viewers 14 and above   The movie career of Jack Wyatt (Will Ferrell) hits an all-time low when his last DVD didn't sell. Unable to detach from his movie star status he tries television which is eyeing him for the revival of the series "Bewitched."  He is to play Darrin, and for the role he has to search for a woman to play Darrin's wife, Samantha.  He discovers her Samantha in the person of Isabel Bigelow (Nicole Kidman).  He woos her for the role for three reasons: one, being unknown, Isabel won't grab public attention from him; two, she can twitch her nose, an ability peculiar to the original Samantha; and three, he is smitten by the love bug for her. She accepts, but he doesn't realize what fate awaits him and his career, being unaware of the fact that Isabel is a real life, broom-riding, spell-casting witch. Please don't go to see Bewitched expecting to be swept off your feet by an irresistible cosmic force.  Supposedly a comedy, it's not even that funny, although some viewers may find some lines hilarious. Ferrell is acceptable as he takes to heart the role of the egomaniacal celebrity, and Kidman is delectable in this light role that's a welcome break from her recent tear-jerking characters. Just go to be mindlessly entertained by their antics as this movie has nothing that can engage your intelligence.  There's a story, sure, but its telling tears it apart; there's a movie all right, but its magical moments mess up its message. A movie viewer who wants to "read between the scenes" (if only to make his decision to watch Bewitched worth his while), however, may grasp little sparks of profound thought here and there, as what happens with some comedies that make you think.  But in Bewitched, they would be like stardust, meteoric, in fact, because if you don't catch them while ablaze, you will never know they existed. Two major points here: Darrin's all-consuming, mammoth ego which is squelched by the supernatural (Isabel's witchcraft); and Isabel's unease with her magical powers. He coddles his ego; she is bored with her powers but takes advantage of them anyway. Take it from there—there's plenty to talk about using this movie.  And should your youngsters at home view it, point out to them that it never pays to be dishonest (Isabel shops using a Tarot card as a credit card), no matter that you're the most angelic looking witch in the world. (Date Reviewed: 12 August 2005)