A lonely employee at a software company, avoided by his colleagues due to his character and way of life, meets a very attractive woman who convinces him that she can grant 7 wishes. After accepting the deal, his life is turned upside-down, almost every wish of his becoming pretty soon a living nightmare, in his desperate attempt of winning the heart of a girl he likes. As everything in life has a price, he's going to find out that eventually he must pay for his wishes and tries to revert the contract.It's a plot which overall sounds very interesting and appealing, but as you're about to find out, badly executed. The main actor acts as a retarded schoolboy and with every wish he has, he's put into very embarrassing situations from which he doesn't seem to understand anything. Instead of being funny and entertaining, it gets dull, boring and loses interest right from the beginning. Unfortunately for me, the finale isn't good either. Although pretty unpredictable in a way, it doesn't do much to save the overall impression of this movie which is not to be seen by anyone, regardless of reasons.It had a good idea but as it happens with many films, especially comedies, it fails miserably when it comes to putting it into action. Maybe a different cast could have helped

For most people, the conversation goes like this... 'Have you seen Bedazzled?' 'No, what's it about?' 'It's got Liz Hurley in it.' That would be where the conversation normally ends. It's fair to say that Ms Hurley is hardly known for her acting abilities. And good reason for it. Yes, she's a pretty face, but her looks don't always translate to talent on screen. However, in Bedazzled, she doesn't come off too bad. No, no one ever said that her failing to win an Oscar for her role as the devil was a travesty, but the whole package is watchable enough if you're in the mood for something lightweight and frothy.Brendan Fraser is the star – playing a socially awkward geek who's desperately in love with a girl he works with. Naturally, he has no chance, until Ms Hurley (or the devil, but without the trident and horns) shows up and offers him seven wishes (for the minor price of his soul). He accepts and we're treated so a kind of extended clip show of what his wishes would be like. Of course, by dealing with the devil, nothing really goes how he would like.It's hardly deep and meaningful. Every time Fraser makes a wish, the devil makes it go wrong. Rinse and repeat. Yet it's still pretty good fun to watch. Fraser is as good as he ever is and naturally endearing for the role. Hurley still struggles to portray real emotion, even with the limited script she's given, but this is truly a case where her looks win us over. She really looks like the devil (might, if the devil was a hot woman) and so can be forgiven for her acting shortcomings.If you're in the mood for something daft and reasonably amusing to watch together on the sofa, this is definitely worth an hour and a half of your time. I wouldn't say buy it on Blu-ray and keep it forever, but if you're in the right frame of mind, it's not a bad way to waste time.

Elliot (Brendan Fraser) is a nerdy office drone who his co-workers try to avoid as often as possible. He adores another of the employees, Alison (Frances O'Connor), and more than anything would really like to be with her. One night, a sinfully sexy Satan (Elizabeth Hurley) comes to him with a proposal. If he promises to sell his soul to her, she'll grant him seven wishes. He wishes for some of the obvious things - wealth, prosperity, knowledge, physical prowess - but she's sneaky enough to give all of the various scenarios an unfortunate catch.As co-written and directed by the late Harold Ramis, this 21st century update of the fondly remembered Dudley Moore / Peter Cook comedy never generates any great comedy fireworks. At its best, it's just sort of mildly amusing. It can't really sustain itself for a full hour and 33 minutes, with the more entertaining gags weighted near the beginning. At least it espouses some reasonable themes about selflessness and the idea that life is what we make it.What really drives the 2000 version of "Bedazzled" is an engaging star duo. Fraser, who'd proved his comedic chops in the past, does his able best to sell the material from sequence to sequence. You could say that he gives 110%. Hurley is extremely enticing, especially with the constant costume changes. She looks especially fetching in the cheerleader and cop outfits. O'Connor is perfect as the object of Frasers' desires, while the supporting cast - Miriam Shor, Orlando Jones, Paul Adelstein, Toby Huss - gets to strut their stuff in multiple roles. Ramis casts his repertory player Brian Doyle-Murray as a priest.Overall, this is likable but never really inspired.Six out of 10.

This film is one of my guilty pleasures. You know, one of those films that you shouldn't really like but actually do. I guess it helps that I've always had a bit of a thing about Liz Hurley and her role here as the devil suits her perfectly, and her limitations as an actress don't really matter here.The other main character and another good looking woman is Frances O'Connor as Alison. She's lovely and a great actress here. In addition, Orlando Jones, Paul Adelstein, and Toby Huss play a variety of characters very nicely.Brendan Fraser holds the whole thing together. He plays nerdy Elliot, who works with Alison though he is invisible to her. He says he would give anything to have her as a girlfriend. This is an invitation for the devil to offer him seven wishes in exchange for his soul... as long as he signs the contract.There follow five very funny cameos where Elliot takes different personas in order to win Alison. Each is doomed to end in failure. He asks to be (1) rich and powerful, (2) emotionally sensitive, (3) a famous athlete, (4) intelligent, witty and well-endowed, (5) President of the United States. Every scenario has a twist that he did not expect. The devil gives Elliot misleading advice in her own cameos between these scenes.Some reviewers have compared this version unfavourably to the Peter Cook & Dudley Moore version. It's best not to compare them. The films are sufficiently different to enjoy each one in its own right.There are many scenes here that are laugh-out-loud, even on a repeat viewing. If there's a weak point it's the final half hour. Yes it does sort of tie the whole thing together but the pace slows and it tries too hard for a 'happy ever after' finish. Maybe a darker ending would have been better. But overall, great fun, great dialogue and great acting.