Review of The Witches of Eastwick (1987) by Danny R — 12 Jan 2016

George Miller's marvelously colorful and delightful dark horror comedy based upon the best selling novel by John Updike. Jack Nicholson is a total laugh riot in a brilliantly funny performance as the mysterious Daryl Van Horn; who is Satan on Earth disguised in human form, who arrives in town the very next night after three young modern-day witches, wonderfully played by Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Phfeiffer fantasize and yearn for Mr.

Right; their unconscious sorcery summon him, extremely wealthy and irresistible, the ladies are seduced by him one by one. There is a priceless scene where Daryl tries to seduce Cher in his bedroom, she asks him who are you? And he replies; I am just your average horny little devil, then while lying on a gigantic bed, he tells her that he always likes a little pussy after lunch, she replies; you are the most unattractive man I have ever met; you are physically repulsive, intellectually retarded, morally reprehensible, vulgar, insensitive, selfish, stupid, you have no taste, no sense of humor and you smell, you're not even interesting enough to make sick.

Daryl replies; would you like to be on the top or the bottom; a classic Nicholson moment. Directed with great style by Miller, with excellent supporting performances by Veronica Cartwright, Richard Jenkins, Jeith Jochim, and Carel Strulychen.

But it is Nicholson's hilarious, scene-stealing turn that totally dominates this film, in a performance that won him the 1987 New York & Los Angeles Film Critics Awards for Best Actor. The film is buoyed by a wonderfully infectious score by John Williams, and gorgeous cinematography by the late great Vilmos Zsigmond.

A literate, wickedly funny, scary entertainment. Highly Recommended.