Review of The Witches of Eastwick (1987) by Kai82 — 03 Nov 2021

A good movie that won me over by the great performance of the cast and the story. Recently I discovered that it is based on a book of the same name by John Updike. This is the rare kind of movies that improves the story from the source material.

It follows the set up and story of the book before adding a lot of ideas that makes this the better story for me. It is rare to say that a movie adaptation is better than the book. The story follows the three woman Alexandra, Jane and Sukie who are good friends and dissatisfied with their lives who live in Eastwick.

All have bad luck with their marriages aka husbands. Once in the week they meet to a coffee party. One day they have the funny idea to summon a dream man for them. Out of this idea they make a ritual that non of them takes serious.

However shortly after the mysterious Daryl van Horne arrives and buys an old mansion in Eastwick. This is the set up for the story. The story works well with the cast. They enhance the story and fully deliver.

It is enjoyable and the progress is always interesting and increases the immersion. The climax and conclusion are great too. I will praise the director George Miller who is normally only or better said firstly associated with the Mad Max franchise.

He made other movies which is normally not mentioned or ignored. This and Lorenzo’s Oil I see as hidden gems. Now to the cast. We have an intense Jack Nicholson as Daryl van Horne. An absolute great performance and I don't see how to improve this or how another actor would fit better.

It ends not there as the female main characters also fully deliver. Be it Susan Sarandon as Jane Spofford, Cher as Alexandra Medford or Michelle Pfeiffer as Sukie Ridgemont. All are truly great in this movie and fully believable.

For the rest of the cast I will praise Veronica Cartwright as Felicia Alden. All others have to small roles. The 4 main characters make this an excellent experience for me. Then we have a soundtrack from the legend John Williams.

As always he enhances every movie he is involved. The special effects are well used in the movie. They enhance the scenes too and a failure here would cheapen this. Overall this is a hidden gem and I do not know why it is forgotten or lets say not more popular.

I recommend this movie to everyone for a good entertainment.