How a Faustian bargain becomes a modern comedy of errors in Bedazzled
In short: In the 2000 remake of Bedazzled, a lonely computer worker trades his soul for seven wishes, only to find the Devil is a master of bureaucratic sabotage. Directed by Harold Ramis, this reimagining of the classic Faust legend turns supernatural temptation into a series of hilariously twisted consumer complaints.
The 2000 film Bedazzled, directed by Harold Ramis, reimagines the 1967 British original as a high-concept romantic comedy. The plot centers on Elliot Richards, a socially isolated computer worker who, in a moment of desperation, enters a contract with the Devil—portrayed by Elizabeth Hurley—to win the heart of his crush, Alison Gardner. While the original film was a direct comic retelling of the Faust legend, the remake shifts the focus toward the mundane frustrations of modern life, where the Devil uses a computer simulation to identify and exploit human weaknesses.
The film’s humor relies on the Devil’s literal-minded subversion of Elliot’s wishes. Each attempt to secure his desires results in unexpected, often chaotic outcomes that force Elliot to navigate surrogate roles alongside his colleagues. Despite the supernatural premise, critics like Roger Ebert noted that the film lacks true wickedness, opting for a series of contract negotiations rather than diabolical subversion. The production, which featured a $48 million budget, was ultimately met with mixed reviews, with many critics arguing that it failed to capture the spirit of the superior 1967 source material.
Beyond the narrative, the production faced real-world complications, including a Screen Actors Guild strike that caused backlash when Hurley attended the premiere. Despite the mixed critical reception—holding a 50% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes—the film performed reasonably well at the box office, grossing $90.3 million. Ultimately, the story concludes with a moral pivot: Elliot discovers that a selfless wish can void his contract, suggesting that Heaven and Hell are states of being that humans choose for themselves on Earth.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Bedazzled (2000 film)
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