"'Be' Warned"
by Scott Mantz

"Bedazzled"
Brendan Fraser, Elizabeth Hurley
Directed by Harold Ramis

"Let's make a deal. Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley in 'Bedazzled'"

What the hell is going on in Hollywood? It seems like we can't get a break from movies that in one way or another deal with the devil. Back in August, Kim Basinger made a strong argument in favor of revoking Academy Awards when she appeared in the God-awful "Bless the Child." Last month, Warner Bros. made a good move by re-releasing the head-spinning horror classic "The Exorcist," but before you can say "rip-off," Winona Ryder went through her own devilish experience in the misplaced "Lost Souls." Up next is "Little Nicky," with Adam Sandler in the title role of the Big Red Guy's next of kin, but until then, there's "Bedazzled," a remake of the 1967 cult classic that starred Dudley Moore and Peter Cook.

On the surface, "Bedazzled" has everything going for it. Not only was it directed by Harold Ramis, whose track record includes "Caddyshack," "Groundhog Day," and "Analyze This," but it stars Brendan Fraser, who's hot off the box office hit "The Mummy," and Elizabeth Hurley, who's, well, just hot.

That why it's such a shame that the film doesn't deliver the goods. Call it a missed opportunity, but "Bedazzled" is bedeviled by lame jokes, uninspired sight gags, and a sloppy script. Even the chemistry between Fraser and Hurley isn't enough to turn the film around and make it the damn good time that it should be.

Elliot (Brendan Fraser) is a socially challenged computer nerd who has a major crush on Alison (Frances O'Connor), a co-worker who doesn't know that he exists. Elliot says that he would do anything to be with her, but maybe he should have kept his voice down. Out of nowhere, the Devil (Elizabeth Hurley) himself, er, make that herself, appears and makes him an offer he can't refuse. In exchange for his soul, the Princess of Darkness will grant him seven wishes. Elliot learns the hard way to be careful what he wishes for, but time is running out until he faces a future of eternal damnation.

The main problem with "Bedazzled" is that it tries to be all things to all people. The film goes for broke in it's attempt to milk the humor out of Elliot's mishaps, but once the sight gags wear off (and they do pretty fast), the jokes fall painfully flat. On top of that, the film suddenly and clumsily shifts gears from being a silly comedy to being a film that supposedly has something to say. That's when "Bedazzled" ends up belittling its audience.

Fortunately, Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley never give the appearance that they're walking through their roles, and you can't help but be won over by their charm. Fraser, ever the good sport, proves to be quite adept at physical comedy in his many guises, and he is incredibly likable as the lovelorn loser. Hurley proves that she's more than just a pretty face, and she seems to be having a blast by building on the comic timing that started with "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery." Of course, it also helps that she shows up in many different forms--a meter maid, a schoolteacher, and a cheerleader (to name a few)--each sporting an even sexier outfit than the last (eat your heart out, Hugh Grant!).

"Bedazzled" isn't a terrible film, but it's far from being the all-out comedy that it should be. It just has to make you wonder what possessed the filmmakers that they couldn't deliver a better film, since there were obviously plenty of opportunities to do so. Sure, it looks good on the outside, but ultimately, it's a bewildering experience.

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