BEDAZZLED
Rated PG-13 - Running Time: 1:33 - Released 10/20/00
I would rate Bedazzled as sort of the cinematic equivalent
to cheese curls: lightweight, fluffy, insubstantial, but a guilty
pleasure nonetheless. That could be said for most of Brendan Fraser's
films of late; Fraser has not exactly tried to challenge Olivier,
but he's remarkably talented in his light, fluffy way, and his
recent output has been fun if not life-changing. Opposite Fraser
is Elizabeth Hurley, the dancer-turned-Estee Lauder spokesperson-turned-actress
most recently known for appearing in the Austin Powers
films. Hurley looks fabulous throughout the film, of course, in
a fetching wardrobe of red and black (except for one notable exception);
if there were ever a reason for being drawn to wicked ways, she's
it. The film, a remake of the 1967 version starring Peter Cook
and Dudley Moore, is written and directed by Harold Ramis (Groundhog
Day, Analyze This),
with writing assistance from Larry Gelbart and Peter Tolan, based
on the '67 Cook/Moore screenplay.
Fraser's role of Elliot Edwards is just the kind of geeky-but-nice
guy he's played in films like Blast
From The Past, The Mummy,
and Dudley Do-Right; he's
identified early on as a lonely, desperate, eager-to-please doormat.
Openly ridiculed by his co-workers at Synedyne, a computer support
facility where scores of cubicles house headset-clad phone operators
ready to assist customers with their computer problems, Elliot
tries to fit in and dreams of scoring a date with the beautiful
Allison Carpenter (Frances O'Connor), who, although she works
at the same office, doesn't know he exists. After one particularly
pathetic scene in the local bar, Elliot is visited by none other
than Satan herself (Hurley), who promises to turn his sad life
around. In exchange for the mere act of signing over his soul
(which, she says, most people don't even miss), Elliot may have
not one, not three, but seven wishes. After some agonizing and
perusing the several-inches-thick contract, Elliot agrees, mainly
because the devil reminds him that with the right wishing strategy,
he could make Allison his own.
Elliot's first wish is to be rich, powerful, and married to
Allison; although this seems like a fool-proof plan, being a Columbian
drug lord with an estranged wife is not exactly what he had in
mind. As he tries to refine the stipulations of his wishes, he
goes through several permutations, including a simpering romantic,
a thick-headed sports star, and a pretentious socialite, but none
of them really work out, for the most part because Satan is trying
intentionally to bugger up his plans. Soon Elliot is out of wishes
and no closer to happiness nor to Allison.
The two main things that make this film enjoyable are Fraser's various characterizations/make-up jobs, which usually involve a dental prosthesis and a wig, and Hurley's wardrobe changes. The short scenes devoted to his wishes all have drastically different settings, temporal as well as physical, all involve O'Connor, who appears as "Allison" in her own diverse series of characterizations, and also usually include Elliot's co-workers in key supporting roles. The performances of Fraser, Hurley, and O'Connor, while not called on for anything but the broadest stereotypes, are fun and engaging, the script breezy and carefree. So what can I say? It's not going to win any awards, but...well, if you like cheese curls, you'll understand. ****