Bedazzled

Elliot: "No! That's not fair!"
The Devil: "Fair? Who do you think you're talking to? I don't recall anybody ever accusing me of being fair before. I think I'm insulted."

release year: 2000
genre: comedy
viewing setting: home DVD 11/22/13 and theater 10/31/2000

synopsis: Meek office worker Elliot trades his soul to the devil for seven wishes, but nothing goes as he'd hoped for.

impressions: Sometimes I get so absorbed in my usual fare (death, guns, fighting, destruction) that I forget about the merits of simple comedies like this one. This movie made me laugh and was just fun to watch. It certainly didn't hurt that the devil looked just like Elizabeth Hurley. Elliot ends up in all kinds of not-quite-what-he-wanted situations thanks to the diabolic word-twisting employed by the devil. It was a riot. There were other smaller elements, such as the same four antagonistic co-workers appearing as different people in each of Elliot's wishes, or the random things that the devil's doing in the background of almot every scene she's in...just lots of little touches. All in all, a devil of a good time.

acting: Brendan Fraser basically plays multiple roles here: timid Elliot, a drug lord, an overly-sensitive wimp, a dumb but successful basketball star, a well-spoken writer, and President Lincoln. Elizabeth Hurley dominates every scene she's in with her looks, accent, and behavior. Frances O'Connor is the object of Elliot's affections.

final word: Good comedy full of life lessons.

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