Review of Bewitched (2012) by Melodee C — 11 Apr 2012

I've seen tons of TV shows translated into films. Usually they use one of 2 formulas: 1. Reboot from the start and essentially try to recapture the magic, 2. Carry on with the characters as they were in the show and just give them some type of extra-large adventure that is more fitting for the extra-large screen. Oddly, Bewitched decides to go in a direction that is so off the wall and different, it doesn't even make sense. I'm going to do my best to make sense of it, but I'm not even confident I'm interpreting it right.

So the idea is that they've decided to produce a new TV series that is almost identical to the original. Then by sheer coincidence they cast an actual witch who has decided to live as a mortal in the role of a witch who has decided to live as a mortal. Now there is trouble in paradise because the witch is getting the shaft from the guy playing Darrin. Here's where things really get confusing. So apparently the spirit of the original show wants to keep them together, so characters begin to show up in an effort to repair the broken relationship.

Doesn't make sense? Exactly! That's the problem with this film. While the basic concept is cute, and leads to some laughs, they over-complicate things and never take the time to explain what is going on. Kidman and Ferrell are both charming and surprisingly pull off the romantic chemistry, but the script keeps getting in the way. They even create an unnecessary subplot about Michael Caine's love life that just muddies the whole story. Bewitched is a good idea gone bad, which is a shame since Kidman and Ferrell try so hard to save it.