The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

Director:

George Miller

Writers:

John Updike (novel)
Michael Cristofer (writer)

Release Date:

12 June 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror | Music | Thriller

Tagline:

Something wicked this way comes.

Plot:

Three single women in a picturesque village have their wishes granted - at a cost - when a mysterious and flamboyant man arrives in their lives.

Plot Keywords:

New England | Male Musician | Sex | Tennis Racket | Classical Concert

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Jack Nicholson	...	Daryl Van Horne
Cher	...	Alexandra Medford
Susan Sarandon	...	Jane Spofford
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Sukie Ridgemont
Veronica Cartwright	...	Felicia Alden
Richard Jenkins	...	Clyde Alden
Keith Jochim	...	Walter Neff
Carel Struycken	...	Fidel
Helen Lloyd Breed	...	Mrs. Biddle
Caroline Struzik	...	Carol Medford
Michele Sincavage	...	Ridgemont Child
Nicol Sincavage	...	Ridgemont Child
Heather Coleman	...	Ridgemont Child
Carolyn Ditmars	...	Ridgemont Child
Cynthia Ditmars	...	Ridgemont Child

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:12 | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:PG | West Germany:12 (f) (re-rating) | Germany:16 (DVD rating) | Singapore:PG | Argentina:16 | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:16 (f) (original rating) | Canada:G (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Abbott Hall - 188 Washington Street, Marblehead, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Industrial Light and Magic was hired to animated the tennis ball as it violates the laws of physics the tennis match. However, when it turned out the three main actresses were not very proficient tennis players, the effects company saw their workload doubled as they were asked to create the ball for the entire sequence (with the exception of some close-ups).

Goofs:

Continuity: When Darrel is driving the car back to the house to confront the girls, the car crashes, loosing the rear licenses plate. When he arrives home, the plate is back on the car.

Quotes:

Mrs. Biddle: This man out of absolutely nowhere, this man appeared. Heh! So charming. Not really handsome, but... riveting. Yes, that's the word. I was riveted. I was looking into his eyes, and I found myself thinking thoughts I hadn't entertained since World War II. I think I actually... blushed.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Boy Meets World: The Witches of Pennbrook (#5.5)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

Cello Concerto in B minor (Allegro)

Sin Has Rarely Looked So Good.

Three lonely New England women (Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer) dream of a man to satisfy their every need as they suffer from isolation with their husbands constantly away. That man---Jack Nicholson (always on a lucky streak it seems). Wicked little comedy with Jack going over the top and having great fun with the helter-skelter material. The women (Cher and Sarandon in particular) match his intensity and the star power makes up for the crazed screenplay and unsteady direction by George Miller. Overall I liked "The Witches of Eastwick". I am not quite sure why I did, but once again Nicholson proves that if there is just enough substance available that he can raise mediocre film-making techniques and share the spotlight with his fellow co-stars. 4 stars out of 5.