9/10/2023 0 Comments Donna murphy star trek resurgence![]() ![]() Production values are certainly enchanting enough, with the usual flair provided by cinematographer John Lindley and production designer Neil Spisak, while composer George Fenton manages to find the right contempo romantic comedy/'60s sitcom balance. Comic opportunities are further missed under-utilizing the talents of Steve Carell as Paul Lynde's Uncle Arthur and Carole Shelley as Marion Lorne's dippy Aunt Clara, with both appearing in segments that fall awkwardly flat. Not given enough to do are Jason Schwartzman as Ferrell's sycophant manager and Kristin Chenoweth (who played the part of Glinda the Good Witch in Broadway's Wicked) as Kidman's man-hungry next-door neighbor. In supporting roles, Shirley MacLaine is a natural as Endora and Michael Caine is effectively debonair as Kidman's warlock papa. Going gamely along with Ferrell, Kidman brings a breathy kewpie doll delivery to the part that doesn't always segue smoothly into her angrier moods, though she does have that nose-twitching down cold. ![]() It's clear that Ferrell has been counted upon to do a lot of the heavy comedic lifting, but even with the actor's gifts for improv, the task of carrying an entire picture simply cannot be achieved by a mere mortal. ![]() Director and co-screenwriter Nora Ephron, who created the going romantic comedy template with Sleepless in Seattle, toys with various approaches here, but while the picture has been top-loaded with some workable bits, later on there are gaping, barren stretches, as if someone had cast a spell and made all the laughs disappear. Naturally things don't go as either of them had planned, leading to all manner of wacky shenanigans. Taken by her uncanny Montgomery-like nose and sweet demeanor, Wyatt is convinced he's found the no-name actress who won't steal focus away from his big comeback. Enter Isabel Bigelow (Kidman), a card-carrying witch who is tiring of the charmed life and is eager to lead a normal existence with a husband and a picket fence. He's given a chance at salvation with an update of Bewitched, though, being well aware of the expendability of actors playing the part of Darrin, he's determined not to be upstaged by any Samantha. Playing the role which at one time was earmarked for Jim Carrey, Ferrell is Darrin-in-waiting Jack Wyatt, a self-important actor whose big-screen career has hit the skids. The resulting less-than-enthusiastic word-of-mouth will ultimately prevent the Stephens' from getting anywhere near the Fockers at the boxoffice. Audiences enticed by the easy charm of the original Elizabeth Montgomery series might be drawn to theaters in the early going, but most will likely leave Bewitched somewhat bothered and bewildered. Despite the labors of leads Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell, there's no screen magic being made here. But rather than settling into an agreeably amusing groove, the picture spends most of its 98 minutes flitting around trying various romantic comedy guises on for size at the expense of pacing, which on more than one occasion grinds to a virtual halt. For a little while, anyway, it looks like the conceit - in which a new Bewitched series has been cast with an unknown Samantha who proves to be the Real McCoy - could actually pay off some decent comic dividends. Having undergone more revisions and conceptualizations than the original series went through Darrins (two), Gladys Kravitzes (two) and Louise Tates (two) combined, the long-awaited screen version of Bewitched finally arrives in theaters courtesy of a potential fix by Nora and Delia Ephron designed to pay affectionate tribute to the show, while giving it a contemporary makeover. Actress Kathryn Fiore ("Reno 911!") is 33. Drummer Mike Melancon of Emerson Drive is 34. Actress Dawnn Lewis (" A Different World," " Hangin' With Mr. Actress Gretchen Corbett (" The Rockford Files") is 65. Actress Imani Hakim (" Everybody Hates Chris") is 19. Country singer Danny Shirley (Confederate Railroad) is 56. ![]() Actor Bruce Greenwood (" Thirteen Days") is 56. Singer-guitarist Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits is 63. ![]()
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