Review of Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) by Elise C — 05 Aug 2011

Fun game: try to explain the plot of this movie to someone who's never seen it. You will sound crazy and immediately doubt yourself.

Episodic bordering on lumpy - it's all charming stuff, but there's just so much of it. Weirdly, the kids don't get much to do here (and are surprisingly snarky when they get the chance), and even Lansbury gets sidelined and spends about 20+ minutes repeating variations on the same line about how she needs a certain book. Instead, Tomlinson gets the spotlight which, you know, there are worse things, but his character is written to have more smarm than charm, and Lansbury is the more invaluable asset here.