Movie: Bewitched (R)

It kind of surprised me that my husband wanted to see Bewitched, but I never say no when he's in a romantic-movie mood.

In an era of unnecessary and obnoxious television remakes, it was nice to find a film that was sweet and story-driven on its own merit and which didn't seem to keep winking about being clever and self-aware.

Nicole Kidman plays Isabel, a witch who doesn't want to be a witch anymore. Instead, she wants a normal life with normal problems that can't be solved by a snapping her fingers or wriggling her nose.

Will Ferrell plays Jack Wyatt, a has-been movie-star trying to catch another break. He wants to remake the TV show Bewitched, but insists on reworking it so the husband gets all the laughs and the wife, Samantha the witch who didn't tell him she was a witch until their wedding night, becomes merely a cute gal with a twitchy nose.

When Isabel realizes she's merely furniture in a show that could be about something more, she is hurt and embarrassed. This, however, is her first Real Challenge as a witch living a normal life, so she tries to resolve her problem without magic. Somehow, as she deals honestly with Jack, they fall in love. Of course, she does eventually have to tell him she's a witch...

All the performances were solid and enjoyable. Watching Isabel, I thought, this is the part usually played by Meg Ryan, but it was nice to see Nicole Kidman in the role. Will Ferrell is, well, Will Ferrell. In the most noteworthy supporting parts, Michael Caine plays Isabel's meddling father while Shirley MacLaine plays Endora, Samantha's flamboyant mother. Overall, Bewitched was good, clean fun. Grade: B+