Bedazzled (2000)
Film details
Fantasy · Comedy · Romance · Harold Ramis · 1h 34min
Synopsis
Elliot Richards, a socially awkward IT worker, is given seven wishes to get the girl of his dreams when he meets a very seductive Satan. The catch: his soul. Some of his wishes include being a 7 foot basketball star, a wealthy, powerful man, and a sensitive caring guy. But, as could be expected, the Devil puts her own little twist on each of his fantasies.
Verdict
Fantastic comedy about devilish temptations and the value of authenticity, with adult humor.
In-depth analysis
Bedazzled is a light and entertaining remake that takes the classic Faustian pact to humorously dismantle human greed. Elliot, a common and frustrated man, signs a contract with the devil—incarnated in a seductive Elizabeth Hurley—in exchange for seven wishes. Each attempt at success, wealth, or pleasure ends in ridicule, revealing the emptiness of selfish desires. The film gracefully exposes how evil promises only to fail, and how true happiness lies in simple bonds: loyal friendship, selfless love, and everyday generosity. Brendan Fraser brings sympathetic clumsiness, while the devil fails in her cunning. There is no heavy theological depth, but a natural echo of the struggle between good and evil, where the protagonist chooses to reject evil and embrace personal redemption. The comedic tone avoids didacticism, inviting us to laugh at our own illusions. For families with mature teenagers, it offers laughter and an accessible reflection on the human soul, temptations, and the triumph of the common good over voracious individualism. Playful sensuality of the devil and spicy humor require parental discretion, but the final message celebrates the dignity of a righteous and connected life.