Kidman casts a 'bewitching' spell

Nora Ephron brings the television favorite "Bewitched" back to life in the theatrical debut that is just as spell-enchanted as the show. The movie, which focuses mostly on the show behind-the-scenes, stars Will Ferrell as actor Jack Wyatt and Nicole Kidman as Isabel Bigelow.\nAfter Wyatt's film career bottoms out, Jack turns to television and playing the role of Darrin Stevens as he works to bring his career back to the top. Jack has some demands for "Bewitched," though: he wants a no-name, approved by him, to play Samantha. \nWhile browsing around in a book store, Jack comes across Isabel, a real witch who wants nothing more than to forget her spells and powers and live a normal life. Smitten by Jack's charm and the idea of working as a television couple, Isabel agrees to the part of Samantha. However, Isabel quickly becomes irritated as Jack controls the show and makes himself a stand-out star. \nDesperate to keep the show running, Jack agrees to make Samantha's role what it should be, and at the same time begins to fall in love with Isabel. Yet, Isabel struggles to confront him with the news that she is a real witch.\nAlso starring Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine, the film falls short of overpowering the television classic. Although it is no Oscar-worthy performance, Kidman does a great job portraying naïve Isabel. Ferrell's performance as Jack is far from the characters he played in "Zoolander" and "Old School." \nThe DVD comes with a second disc featuring three of the original show's episodes. The special features on the DVD are nothing but ordinary, including a director's commentary, deleted scenes and the making of the film. It also includes a "Bewitched" trivia game with 30 questions on the original show which, as someone familiar with the show, I found interesting. \nAlthough the movie could have focused more on the television show than it did on Ferrell and Kidman falling in love, it is still a charming movie. Geared mostly towards adults, as you should be familiar to the show in order to really understand the movie, Ephron did a fine job directing a movie that is also cheerful and family-orientated.