The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

Social commentary degenerates into middling horror pic

Three frustrated single women (Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer) inadvertently call forth the Devil (or a devil) in an idyllic small town. The entire cast is very good, with Jack Nicholson being an especially inspired choice as the satanic Daryl Van Horn. Veronica Cartwright also stands out as the town busybody. The film is most interesting in the beginning, as it appears that we will be watching a sly criticism of conventional morality, but the script quickly goes astray. It appears as though Cartwright is intended to be an intolerant Phyllis Schlafly type, but that doesn't really work since she becomes the victim of magical forces from the instant Daryl enters town, making her a very sympathetic figure instead. We should have been given an opportunity to revel along with the three friends in the break from conformism that their unconventional relationship with Van Horn provides, but since we viewers are aware that Van Horn is actually persecuting Cartwright's character without provocation, they merely come off as ignorant dupes of a duplicitous male instead of examples of female empowerment. By the end of the movie, we are watching a very conventional (though not scary) horror film as the three women try to send the devil back where he came from. I haven't read John Updike's novel, which was the source for the screenplay, but it is difficult to imagine that the film is an accurate dramatization of his themes. March 21, 2008

Excited!

I had to look a while to find a copy of this movie, thanks Amazon! February 10, 2008

Like "Click" for girls!

This is an entertaining movie, unless you know several girls who are under the impression you are Satan, then you might want to not let them see it. They'll probably see it anyway. Girls are resourceful like that. If they do, do your best not to act like Satan and you should be ok. April 18, 2007

One of my movies....

Love this movie as this type of movie
fits me to a tee. It is a entertaining
movie to watch. Nicholson is always
great to watch but Cher, Susan and Michelle
are absolutely perfect too.
I highly recommend this movie. April 17, 2007

"Who are you? Just your average, horny little devil",

Jack Nicholson gives his funniest and one of the finest performances as Mr. Darryl van Horn, the mysterious and wicked man who arrives to the quiet and sleepy little town of Eastwick after three women, the Blonde Souki (Pfeifer), the Redhead Jean (Sarandon), and the Brunette Alex (Cher), best friends and witches dreamed him up as a man who can bring some changes and excitement in their lonely lives.

Several great actors have played the Prince of Darkness during their careers but Nicholson was born to play a "friendly" devil that can seduce any woman with no exception by becoming exactly what she wants him to be. The scenes where Nicholson seduces Alex (Daryl Van Horne: Well, if that's how you feel about it, then that's how you feel about it. Is THAT how you feel about it?), Jean, and Souki are among the sexiest I've ever seen.

The movie has too many vomiting scenes for my liking, and the visuals are sometimes too screaming but Nicholson is delightful. I never thought that playing cello could lead to such flaming results - and I used to play it. :)

7/10

April 9, 2007

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