Bedazzled (2000)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Harold Ramis

Writers (WGA):

Peter Cook (1967 story)
Peter Cook (1967 screenplay) ...

Release Date:

20 October 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

Tagline:

Meet the Devil. She's giving Elliott seven wishes. But not a chance in Hell.

Plot:

Hopeless dweeb Elliot Richards is granted 7 wishes by the devil to snare Allison, the girl of his dreams, in exchange for his soul.

Plot Keywords:

Soul | Devil | Dream | Contract | Basketball

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Brendan Fraser	...	Elliot Richards / Jefe / Mary
Elizabeth Hurley	...	The Devil
Frances O'Connor	...	Alison Gardner / Nicole Delarusso
Miriam Shor	...	Carol / Penthouse Hostess
Orlando Jones	...	Daniel / Dan / Danny, Esteban, Beach Jock, Lamar Garrett, Dr. Ngegitigegitibaba
Paul Adelstein	...	Bob / Roberto / Beach Jock / Bob Bob (Sportscaster #3)
Toby Huss	...	Jerry / Alejandro / Beach Jock / Jerry Turner (Sportscaster #2) / Lance
Gabriel Casseus	...	Elliot's Cellmate / Angel
Brian Doyle-Murray	...	Priest
Jeff Doucette	...	Desk Sergeant
Aaron Lustig	...	Synedyne Supervisor
Rudolf Martin	...	Raoul
Julian Firth	...	John Wilkes Booth
Iain Rogerson	...	Play Actor
Biddy Hodson	...	Play Actor

Also Known As:

Teuflisch (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sex-related humor, language and some drug content.

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English | Spanish | Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Malaysia:U | South Korea:15 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M (DVD rating) | Australia:PG (original rating) | Canada:PG | Chile:TE | Colombia:12 | Denmark:7 | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:PG | Norway:11 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #37797) | Philippines:PG-13 | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

City Hall - 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

There is a deleted scene that can be seen on the DVD which shows Elliot using one of his wishes to become a rock star, playing in a metal band and using an English accent. It was cut out due to images of drug use (Elliot takes a bong-hit on stage and Alison tries to kill herself by swallowing pills), foul language (Elliot says a certain four-letter word a number of times), and sexual content (Elliot and Alison start to have sex right in the back room). It can be accessed on the DVD by going to the second Special Features page, highlighting the top choice, and clicking right. A devil on Elizabeth Hurley's shoulder should light up.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: After Elliot's drug lord alter-ego falls from the copter, the film cuts to Elliot himself, his wish ended, falling through the air and crashing onto, and badly denting, the hood of a car. Unfortunately, as Elliot rolls himself off of the vehicles hood and away from the camera, we see the reinforcing back-brace under Elliot's shirt, which has allowed him to fall and dent the car without injury.

Quotes:

[being hauled away by policemen]
Elliot Richards: I'm telling you, the Devil gypped me for a HAMBURGER!

Movie Connections:

Features Baraka (1992)

Soundtrack:

Get Ready for This

Not Like The Original, But Pleasant Enough

The 1967 original, starring Dudley Moor and Peter Cook and directed by Stanley Donen was a droll dark comedy that bombed when it was first released to theatres but has developed a very strong cult following over the years. This 2000 version, directed by Harold Ramis is not so much a remake as a latter-day re-imagining of the story. Aside from the basic premise, the two films share little else in common. This new version is a wacky, fast-paced farce that makes up in some giddily amusing moments what it lacks in true wickedness.

Brendan Fraser is perfectly cast as the hapless computer tech who makes a deal with Satan; granted seven wishes in exchange for eventual possession of his soul, we witness each wish he makes as his life becomes a series of colorful and very funny misadventures. Some first-rate make-up and special effects transform Fraser and his world every time he changes wishes. Elizabeth Hurley is extremely fetching and quite likable as the embodiment of Satan, although I wish she'd showed a bit more evilness than glee in her characterization.

All in all, a very entertaining movie that, of course, leaves the door open for a sequel. Bring it on!