Customer Reviews

Bedazzled [VHS]

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(53)
3 star:		(37)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

Way, way too many comparisons to the original version of this film, which is a shame: BEDAZZLED stands wonderfully and beautifully on its own merits. Directed by comedic genius Harold Ramis, this is a fast-paced, well-crafted, highly imaginative, hilarious film. Heck, even my accountant laughs at this one, which is saying something.

Based on the tried and true Faustian theme of selling one's soul to the devil, BEDAZZLED introduces us to hapless Elliot Richards (Brendan Fraser), whose mediocre existence revolves around getting Alison, an attractive coworker (played by Frances O'Connor) to notice him, let alone go out with him. In desperation, Elliot offers to sell his soul to obtain Alison's affection, and the devil responds.

But this isn't just any ol' devil. This is a heart-palpitating, traffic stopping, bark at the moon Elizabeth Hurley, who makes a most lusty Lucifer, and who wears enough revealing outfits to pack a heart trauma center. Hurley's devil is seductive, playful, and of course delightfully wicked. She grants Elliot seven wishes to win over Alison, but she's ingenious enough to turn each optimistic wish into a disaster. For example: Elliot wishes to be a rich and powerful businessman, married to Alison; the devil grants his wish, only Elliot is a South American drug lord, hated by his wife and under siege from all sides. Each wish--no matter how carefully Elliot thinks he has covered all the bases--blows up in his face, to the blissful delight of the viewer.

What really impressed me was Fraser himself. Before seeing this film, I had placed the actor into the Stallone category of mutton heads, but Fraser very pleasantly surprised. His role required a wide range of diversity--from a blockheaded NBA superstar to an intellectual bestselling author--and Fraser not only pulls it off, he's incredibly funny in the process. He helps make BEDAZZLED absolutely bedazzling. . .along with Hurley's legs.
--D. Mikels

Harold Ramis' 2000 adaptation of the dark British comedy classic Bedazzled is a blast to watch. I can't call this a remake because Ramis' casual looking version looks and feels like a different movie than its formal English counterpart. Having seen both this film and the 1967 original, I like the American version a little better.

Elliott is a nerdy guy in a dead-end job desperate to be liked by his co-workers. There's a girl at his office he's had his eye on but she doesn't notice him. Meeting the devil at a local bar, He makes a deal to sell his soul in exchange for seven wishes in the hopes of winning the girl of his dreams. Too bad he doesn't read the fine print on the contract he signs. There's ALWAYS a catch when dealing with the Devil. First he wishes he were rich and powerful- Only he's a Columbian druglord about to be betrayed by his woman and his cartel. Moments before his death He pages 666. He wishes he were sensitive, and when he cries at the sunset she dumps him. He wishes he were a basketball superstar Only to find out his "package" is small! He then wishes he were an intellectual writer with a big package-only to find out he's gay! He wishes he were president of the United States only to find he's Abe Lincoln on the night he's about to he shot by John Wilkes Booth! Six wishes later the Devil is tired of toying with him and insists he makes a final wish. He wishes for the girl of his dreams to be happy and the contract is voided. In the end he doesn't get the girl, but learns a lesson: Be yourself.

What makes Ramis' version a superior film is the solid storytelling and excellent direction. The script in this version is a lot tighter than in the clunky 1967 original and the characters are better developed and have more complex personalities. Because the writing is more concise, it makes the story easier to follow. The Original Bedazzled was a slow, tedious movie that focused so much on minor technicalities it was hard to watch. This version grabs the viewer and keeps them watching until the end.

The acting here is top notch. Brendan Fraser gives one of his best performances as the Nebbish nerdy Elliott. His comic timing and execution throughout the film remind me a lot of the late John Ritter, he really knows how to use his face and eyes to get a laugh. Elizabeth Hurley gives a great performance as the Devil; It's just a delight to watch her onscreen. She has excellent chemistry with Fraser and their comic timing is spot on. Hurley's charm and personality carries the movie through all three acts, even though she's the devil you just like her. Throughout the changes into all those stylish outfits you see her, not the clothes she wears. (J.Lo and Halle take note) That's the mark of a good actress. Frances O'Connor does gives a solid performance as the object of Elliott's desire. She holds her own in all the sketches and has great chemistry with Fraser. Comedy veterans Orlando Jones and Toby Huss add strong comedic support in all the comedy sketches.

Director Harold Ramis creates a tightly focused comedy with excellent production values and great cinematography. I felt like I was right there on those California streets in every frame. The visual effects blend with the live action and all we see are the hilarious jokes.

The Harold Ramis version of Bedazzled is definitely worth the purchase price. Pick this one up along with the 1967 original and The Devil Wears Prada for a deliciously evil movie night.

Elliot (Brendan Fraser) would give anything to have coworker Allison in his life. When the princess of darkness (Elizabeth Hurley) offers Elliot seven wishes in exchange for his soul he accepts. With every wish he makes the devil finds a way to ruin it for Elliot.

I thought this movie was very funny. Fraser is a genious, each character he plays is so different and he pulls it off. Elisabeth Hurley and Frances O'Conner were good in thier roles but I thought Orlando Jones was not used enough. The dvd has a decent amount on it like a making of featurette, extended scene, trailers and more. Also there is a huge part of the movie that was cut probably to avoid an "R" rating and it is hidden on the disk. To access it go to the second page of special features and move the cursor to the right, a devil will appear on Hurley's shoulder and press select.

This film is a superior remake of the original English version which stared Dudley Moore. The reason it's superior rests squarely on the two leads Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley. Fraser is convincing in the multi part role and shows great comedic timing and range. HOWEVER it is Hurley who "steals" the show as the sexiest devil ever imagined by man or Hugh Hefner. She is breathtaking as the delectable diobolical vamp in red. Every inch of her is squeezed into every outfit and she plays it to the hilt. She is fantastic beyond belief. You must see her in this role. Buy it today!

I was actually moved to tears by the sublime beauty of this magnificent film. Brendan Frasier is obviously a master of the acting arts, and his performance conveys a subtlety that is hardly ever found in serious dramas much less brilliantly made comedies like this one. The directing, acting,and writing are a model for all comedies. I think Hurley may be the most gifted and delightful comedic actress I have ever seen, with the possible exception of Julia Roberts. I also want to add a personal note.This film spoke to me. It moved my soul.In fact, it had a huge impact on my life.After watching this movie I indeed realized that everything is nothing. Buy this movie. It is well worth your time and money.Sit down and watch it with your family, and celebrate the greatness that is "Bedazzled".

Bedazzled is a nice movie about Elliot Richards, a man who is in love with Alison, a girl who he has been working with for 4 years in the same company, yet she doesn't even know him.

he has no friends, and nobody likes him cause he is the odd man out, he tries to fit in, but they won't give him a chance.

so after an unsuccessful attempt to talk to Alison, he says to himself that he would give anything to be with Alison, and BAM, along comes The Devil (Hurley), and she's beautiful, hot, and i love the way she talks in the movie.

she offers and entices him granting him 7 wishes for his soul, which he takes because he is so much in love with Alison, and what follows are a series of horribly bad wishes with good intentions.

He's a drug lord who finds out Alison is cheating on him, then he's a basketball huge basketball with a teenie tiny problem, he's President Lincoln one minute, an oversensative person who cries at sunsets, and then he's a gay intellecutal person with the opposite of his basketball problem.

also Orlando Jones comes out in the movie. (The Replacements, Drumline)

overall, Bedazzle is a good clean, sexy movie. Elizabeth Hurley is FINE in this movie, but keeps it clean and unlike other movies, this doesn't get out of hand. it's got a good message at the end to just be yourself.

it's not the funniest movie in the world, but it is a nice movie, and Fraiser is awesome in this movie. he's funny and an awesome actor. Harold Ramis continues to pull out a nice, good and solid movies with good overall messages.

thumbs up to Bedazzled.

Review no.158.Have never been able to understand why so many movie fans that I've run across hate this flick.A few I know like totally refused to ever even watch it.I thought it was great!A year after this was released,I saw the 1967 original with Dudley Moore and Peter Cooke.In my most humble opinion,it was lame.'Bedazzled' is sort of a tear-jerker in a way when you see it for the first time.The Devil(Elizabeth Hurley)comes to help office geek Elliot Richards(Brendan Fraser)romance and win over his beloved heart throb,Alison(Frances O'Conner)who,of course he can NEVER have.Problem is Richards must sign a very thick contract that entitles him to seven wishes to get WHATEVER he wants in exchange for his soul.The Devil,needless to say does everything in her power to 'screw' things up for him.My favorite scenes are 1)When he's on the beach romancing Alison as THE 'most' sensitive man in the world and starts to cry about the dolphin's potential danger,2)When Richards is teasing his co-worker(s) in the office and being REALLY annoying and 3)When he's in the police station trying to convince the police chief that the devil made him go insane the way he has.A lot of laughs here.Recommended.

I'm rather surprised that this movie is in a cheap bin, because I've seen it 4 times and it still retains its charm. Elizabeth Hurley actually has fun acting through it and Brendan Fraser is one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood. His fantasy turns as Colombian drug lord, gay writer, Sensitive soul and moron basketball player all work because he hurls himself into the various idiocies with enthusiasm.

I'm sure the original is better and one of these days I might watch the original and hate this movie, but until then I still have Brendan Fraser crying over a seagull to make me laugh.

Bedazzled is a surprisingly smart, genuinely funny movie about the wishes we all make and the fallacy of our belief that wealth, fame, love, etc., will truly make us happy. Taking the Dr. Faust theme to unheard of heights, the devil takes the form of Elizabeth Hurley who is indeed constantly bedazzling in a long list of outfits taken straight from the minds of adolescent teenaged boys (and a few of us who used to be adolescent teenaged boys). Gorgeously naughty, she is the epitome of temptation. Brendan Fraser gives a terrific performance as seven characters all wrapped up in one. Elliot Richards is a socially inept computer nerd who is not even very good at being a loser. He tries way too hard to make friends, and he even does the one thing that losers must never, ever do: admitting his crush on a woman who doesn't even know him. This leads to public embarrassment, as I could easily have told the guy, and soon Elliot unwittingly dial's Satan's number by saying he would give anything to have Alison Gardner (Frances O'Connor) in his life. Elizabeth Hurley looks nothing at all like the traditional devil, but she has comparatively little trouble convincing Elliot of her identity and getting him to sell his soul in exchange for seven wishes; I mean, what guy wouldn't give in to the seductive delights of Elizabeth Hurley?

You really have to be specific when you are making wishes, as Elliot soon learns as a series of fantasies fulfilled quickly fall through: fame, power, and marriage to Allison is dangerous as well as unfulfilling, the life of an unbelievable star athlete comes with its own little problem (wink, wink), intelligence and savoir faire misses the mark, and becoming the most sensitive man on earth is quite simply a big mistake. Elliot, his sweetie Allison, and his co-workers all appear in these separate wish-fulfilled lives, each actor adopting a number of very different roles over the course of the film. The results can be hilarious, and there was at least one surprising wish fulfillment that never appeared in any trailer. Fraser has always seemed to be something of a stiff actor to me, but he shows great versatility in his performance here, taking the challenge of his role and running with it. Frances O'Connor is an increasingly sweet delight, as well, and Elizabeth Hurley is simply fantastic and utterly enchanting.

There are lots of special features on the DVD. Besides a theatrical trailer and several TV spots, you get two commentaries by the director and actors (including Hurley), a quite impressive featurette hosted by Hurley herself on the making of the film, a still gallery, and a look at the impressive costuming that went into the making of the film. Best of all, though, you get an extended scene of six minutes featuring Orlando Jones and Toby Huss offering post-game commentary after Elliot's amazing NBA debut. The scene is hilarious in the movie, but the extended scene takes the hilarity to absurdly funny levels. Every so often, you can hear a direction pointing the guys toward a certain type of comment on the game, but Jones and Huss seem to be ad libbing the entire commentary, constantly outdoing one another with some truly inane babblings. The only thing that disappointed me about this Special Edition DVD was a lack of deleted scenes. My favorite couple of seconds from the trailer was not actually in the movie, and the featurette informs us that there was originally a scene with Hurley taking on the guise of a French maid. The filmmakers obviously didn't realize how cruel it would be to tell us of such a scene and then not include it anywhere on the DVD. That one omission aside, I pretty much loved Bedazzled; it's just a smart, funny, sexy movie.

This is such a fun movie. The whole stealing souls thing has been done countless times, but the main characters in this are fun , and the storyline is simpistically funny, and even a little philosophical. Great saturday night with friends flick.