Bedazzled - Not as bad as it could have been

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.

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that