Review of Bewitched (2012) by Aliya D — 25 Jan 2009

Nothing irks me more than a blown opportunity for rejuvenating a fondly remembered sitcom that evokes instant nostalgia, but somehow misses the point of why the original show was so beloved. It appears director and co-writer Nora Ephron, along with her co-writer and sister Delia, got caught up in their own cleverness.

They start with an only-in-Hollywood conceit, focusing the story on the effort to remake the 'Bewitched' sitcom rather than trying to update the odd goings-on at the Stephens household for the new millennium.

I applaud the originality of the concept, but the execution falls so flat that I was sighing at what should have been. There is some mild amusement with the show business sequences, such as the poolside negotiation, the auditions, the cartoon opening refocused completely on Darrin, and Samantha's on-set witchcraft.

However, the love story, in particular, in the last half-hour, nosedives into predictability compounded by the lack of chemistry between the leads. Made me want to gouge out my eyes...