Kristin Cheno in Bewitched --- Variety liked her!

[Marlothom]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 11:53am

FROM VARIERTY'S NEGATIVE REVIEW OF BEWITCHED

In terms of Kidman, her latest nose-centric role won't make anyone forget "The Hours." Playing Isabel as a wide-eyed waif, in fact, makes her mostly uninteresting, with more of a spark coming from Kristin Chenoweth (a more beguiling witch herself in "Wicked""Wicked") as her feisty neighbor.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 11:55am

good for her!

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 11:58am

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 12:03pm

I saw it last night. I really liked the movie. I think they tried to get in too many characters and therefore some of the storylines either pittered off or were not really necessary.
But Kristin's character was a delite.
I'm annoyed that there wasn't more Shirley MacLaine. I liked where they were heading with her character, but then her storyline seems unfinished (not in a "There should be a sequel" sort of way). There definitely should not be a sequel; but this was a really fun movie.

[Jwei123]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 12:05pm

Yay for Kristin! She deserves it! She's so cute!

[jasobres]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 12:40pm

I have a whole list of mostly positive reviews about Cheno in Bewitched:

“Kristin Chenoweth, the helium-voiced sprite who was Glinda the Good Witch in Broadway's ‘Wicked,’ plays Isabel's bubbly blond neighbor, and she shows Kidman how to enjoy herself while stealing all their scenes.”
- Wesley Morris, The Boston Globe

“And there's some zippy supporting work by Kristin Chenoweth as Isabel's chatty neighbor. Chenoweth — a Broadway star making her film debut — is very short and very curvy, with a high-pitched, rat-a-tat voice that never seems to stop for breath. She makes a wonderful visual contrast to the impossibly tall, thin Kidman; they're like a gorgeous female version of Laurel and Hardy.”
- Moira Macdonald, The Seattle Times

“As Isabel's chipmunk-voiced, next-door neighbor, Kristin Chenoweth of Broadway's thematically related musical ‘Wicked,’ is endearing…”
- James Verniere, The Boston Herald

“Ferrell also has his moments and, while Shirley MacLaine does little with her part as a grand dame actress, the rest of the supporting cast -- Jason Schwartzman, Kristin Chenoweth and Michael Caine (at his scene-stealing best) -- make up a reasonably strong ensemble.”
- William Arnold, Seattle Post Intelligencer

“Not given enough to do are Jason Schwartzman as Ferrell's sycophant manager and Kristin Chenoweth (who played the part of Glinda the Good Witch in Broadway's "Wicked") as Kidman's man-hungry next-door neighbor.”
- Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter

“The supporting cast includes Kristin Chenoweth, Jason Schwartzman and Heather Burns. They all seem to have been directed by trans-Atlantic cable.”
- Rex Reed, The New York Observer

“As with the show, much of the pleasure comes from the supporting cast. Except for Steve Carell, who does a mediocre Paul Lynde impression as Uncle Arthur, the pleasures include Jason Schwartzman as an unctuous agent, Carole Shelley as befuddled Aunt Clara and Kristin Chenoweth as Isabel's chirpy next-door neighbor. (She herself was Tony-nominated for playing a witch in "Wicked.")”
- Lawrence Toppman, The Charlotte Observer

“In the supporting cast, standouts are the omnipresent Michael Caine as Samantha's womanizing warlock father, Nigel, and Kristin Chenoweth (who played a Broadway witch in "Wicked") as a wide-eyed neighbor. She might have stolen the movie if her scenes had been longer.”
- Judith Egerton, Louisville Courier-Journal

“Caine and Shirley MacLaine (as Endora on the television show) are fine in the main supporting roles but it's Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth, as Isabel's neighbor Maria, and Steve Carell as Uncle Arthur, who are the real treats. Kidman loved Chenoweth's performance as Glinda (the good witch) in the musical "Wicked" and she had a role written for her.”
- Jeffrey Bruner, Des Moines Register

“Lost somewhere inside "Bewitched" are a half-dozen cast members who would have benefited from a smarter script and more assured direction.

They include Caine; Shirley MacLaine as the actress who plays Samantha's haughty mother, Endora; Jason Schwartzman as Wyatt's slimy manager; Kristin Chenoweth as Isabel's brassy neighbor; Steve Carell as Uncle Arthur (originally played by Paul Lynde); and Carole Shelley as Aunt Clara.”
- Philip Booth Correspondant, Herald-Tribune

“Kristin Chenoweth, as Isabel's new neighbor Maria, fares better. She's given some genuinely funny lines and delivers them without a misstep.”
- Bonnie Britton, Indystar.com

“The second scenario is an "Adaptation" wannabe, an insidery look at the behind-the-scenes of Hollywood that might be funny if "Bewitched" could commit to it. Instead, it fritters away satiric opportunities, completely wasting the unique talents of a bunch of actors, including Shirley MacLaine, as a ham hired to play Ferrell's mother-in-law on the "Bewitched" series, and Kristin Chenoweth, as a showbiz-obsessed groupie.”
- Chris Hewitt, Knight Rider Newspapers

“A testament to its actors, Bewitched conjures intriguing supporting performances: Kristen Chenoweth as Isabel's ebullient next-door neighbor, Jason Schwartzman as Jack's jerky-boy agent and, most successfully, Michael Caine as Isabel's Casanova father and Shirley MacLaine as the screen legend playing Samantha's mother, Endora.”
- Rich Copley, Lexington Herald-Leader

“In that realm, it scores a few laughs, largely because of the actors. "Daily Show" regulars Stephen Colbert and Steve Carrell pitch in (the latter plays Uncle Arthur, in an approximation of the original show's Paul Lynde), and Jason Schwartzman nails the coddling agent role. Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth is cute as Isabel's pal.”
- Robert Horton, HeraldNet.com

“Broadway's Kristin Chenoweth sparkles as a dizzy neighbor…”
- Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

“Simply spectacular in the galpal role (written especially for her) is Kristin Chenoweth, previously known mostly to Broadway audiences but with a budding movie career. (She's also a recent addition to television's "The West Wing" and is a frequent musical guest on radio's "A Prairie Home Companion.") She even gets to unfurl her pipes with a brief turn at sort of scat-singing along to the TV show's original theme song.”
- Jeff Farance, News-JournalOnline.com

“Broadway star Kristen [sic] Chenoweth even brings some spice to the thin role of a man-hungry, next-door neighbor.”
- Stephen Whitty, Star-Ledger

“Smaller roles are played by a host of familiar faces, from Jason Schwartzman and Kristin Chenoweth to basically anyone who has ever been a correspondent for ‘The Daily Show.’”
- Daniel Neman, Richmond Times-Dispatch

“The movie begins with Isabel flying over freeway interchanges, strip malls and a patchwork of emerald lawns and sapphire pools and finally alighting in front of a charming Spanish bungalow that she promptly appropriates and decorates through a series of minor spells. Once settled, she meets her bouncy neighbor Maria (Kristin Chenoweth) and tries to dodge her disapproving dad, Nigel (Michael Caine, who steals every scene he's in).”
- Carina Chocano, LA Times

“Ephron's creative indecisions leave us puzzled: Iris is shown to briefly possess real witchcraft abilities, which then disappear. Isabel's chirpy neighbor (Kristin Chenoweth) thinks Jack's agent (Jason Schwartzman) is cute, and they share a brief glance before that incidental romance is forgotten. The closest things to jokes are too inside Hollywood, while the simpler stuff feels stale. Samantha's nose would need to work overtime to clean up this mess.”
- Steve Persall, Tampa Bay Times

“Adding to the chaos and merriment is Shirley MacLaine as Hollywood diva Iris, Michael Caine as Isabel's cheeky warlock father, Nigel Bigelow, Kristin Chenoweth as Isabel's best friend/neighbor Maria, and Jason Schwartzman as Jack's sycophantic agent. Amy Sedaris makes a brief cameo as Gladys Kravitz.”
- Lawrence Ferber, Between the Lines News

“Kristen [sic] Chenoweth (a stage actress and recurring character on The West Wing) and Heather Burns (Miss Congeniality) are both bright spots as Isabel's confidantes.”
- Phoebe Flowers, SouthFlorida.com

“It becomes a boys-against-the-girls war, with Isabel aided by her neighbor Maria (the adorable Kristin Chenoweth) and producer Nina (Heather Burns).”
- Elizabeth Barr, BuffaloNews.com

“"The West Wing's" Kristen [sic] Chenoweth and Heather Burns ("Miss Congeniality") play Isabel's best friends and Steve Carell (NBC's "The Office") delivers a dead-on impression of the late comedian Paul Lynde, who played Uncle Arthur on the TV series.”
- Angela Dawson, The Cincinnati Post

“The two standout supporting roles—ones that actually garner laughs—were Kristen [sic] Chenoweth as Isabel’s bubbly neighbor Maria and Steve Carell in a wonderfully bizarre turn as Uncle Arthur.”
- Kady Ann Ferris, The Daily Californian

“Isabel’s character arc – particularly her midfilm transition from innocence to resourcefulness, effected with the support of her next-door neighbor (Kristin Chenoweth) and a beleaguered production assistant (Heather Burns) – seems to be constructed as a female empowerment story.”
- Andy Klein, LA CityBeat

“The film also features an appearance by an actress named Kristin Chenoweth, who has the distinction of being the most annoying supporting character in any 2005 movie to-date. Hearing fingernails on a blackboard would have been more appealing that being exposed to her half-dozen scenes.”
- James Berardinelli, ReelViews (HOW......DARE.......YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Updated On: 6/24/05 at 12:40 PM

[bunchamuncha]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 12:47pm

So her first foray into film was pushed back to February (Pink Panther) and Bewitched has been deemed "unwatchable".
Let's hope she fairs better in her other films.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 12:51pm

She wasn't mentioned in the CNN review, but the reviewer did say "Carole Shelly does a nice turn as ditsy Aunt Clara..."

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 12:58pm

Buncha

What in the hell are you talking about? Did you not see all the reviews raving over Kristin - saying she almost stole the movie? Only one reviewer didn't like her. But he didn't seem like an important critic, anyway.

Anyway - I am VERY glad to hear Shirley, Carole, and Kristin are fabulous in this movie.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 1:00pm

I think what bunchamuncha means is that a performer can get positive reviews, but if it's a bad film it won't matter. Careers have been ruined by being associated with an awful film, no matter how good the performance.

[bunchamuncha]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 1:09pm

thank you trpguyy

[keggss23]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 1:10pm

Go Kristen! I am so excited for her!

[Plum]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 1:13pm

Nah, I don't think Bewitched is a disaster on that level- it's not an overhyped megabudget special effects extravaganza that ran over its shooting schedule or anything. No one expected it to be one of the huge releases of the year, just a medium charmer. So it failed at that- it's not such a big deal.

Besides, Chenoweth was just a supporting player; no one's going to blame her for the film's failure.

[KristiAnn85]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 1:30pm

Bewitched is a feel good movie. It's not spectacular, by any stretch of the imagination. i agree that Kristin did NOT have enough to. I also agree that a lot of storylines were unfinished. Kristin was a true delight to watch. And I think I prefer Nicole in the ditzier roles...the less she tries to be "dramatic" the better she does, in my opinion. To get back to my point, Kristin Chenoweth was great fun to watch, and truly stole every scene she was in.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 1:31pm

I thought Nicole Kidman was funny and likeable in this film. I wouldn't call it a disaster at all. I think it's a nice Romantic/Comedy Summer movie that people will like. I'm a fan of the original TV series, and I was a little skeptical about how the overall movie would be. I was really happy with it. There are only 2 characters that didn't impress me...Will Ferrell's assistant, and the guy playing Uncle Arthur; but there's not enough of them to cause me to dislike the movie.

Amy Sedaris (sp?) and Richard Kind have very small cameos. I think it would have been fun to see more of them; but the script wouldn't have made sense for the roles they played if there was more of them.

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 1:59pm

Good for Kristin. I'm glad she's getting such good reviews, even if the movie itself is not.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 2:31pm

I just got back (the RENT trailer played before it!!!). The movie itself was 90% unwatchable. That 10% that was watchable was Cheno. She irresistably funny, smart, and hysterical. I just wished she was on the screen more. She saved the movie from being a total bomb in my mind. She was exceptional, truly.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 3:49pm

"is very short and very curvy"

I know she's not Lara Flynn Boyle, but "very curvy" is definitely an exaggeration. This description is better suited for someone like Marissa Jaret Winokur (whom I love, so don't think this is meant as an insult) than Kristin.

[jasobres]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 4:04pm

No, seriously, her...uh...things....are huge! She even said at her debut Carnegie Hall concert (which I went to, by the way, I was a few rows back from Rosie O'Donnell) that when she was shooting "Kristin" (her terrible sitcom), she swore that she heard someone say, "'Don't shoot her from that angle. She has a lot of back fat!' And I wasn't even sure if I heard him correctly: 'Don't shoot...her from...that angle.....She has.........a lot.........of BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK.....FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!'" lol!

[Broadway_freak]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 4:05pm

Good for her!

[stylinbohemian]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 5:55pm

YAY! GO Kristin!

[surefinewhatever]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 10:58pm

I just came from seeing the movie. It was ok, it had its laughs, but nothing spectacular. Kristin was good in the few scenes she was in.......very good comedic timing. They really took advantage of the height difference between her and Nicole Kidman. There's this scene where Nicole is walking at a brisk pace, but Kristin has to trot, almost jog to keep up w/ her ( even in really tall wedges, Kristin is still noticably shorter). It was hilarious watching her .....she looks so cute!

I was really surprised to see Carole Shelley in the film. I had no idea she was in it and even more surprised that she had so many scenes. For the remainder of the movie, I half expected the rest of the cast of Wicked to show up.

[bunchamuncha]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 12:23am

she's on the cover of Hamptons magazine this month with a brief q&a on her film career.


Hamptons mag

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 12:37am

Kristin will come out of it unscathed. I haven't seen it yet, but from the reviews it seems obvious that she's one of the films saving graces.

Being 21st century Janis Paige or Eve Arden is NOT a bad career move for Kristin.

Updated On: 6/25/05 at 12:37 AM

[PJ]

Posted: 6/25/05 at 1:22am

I just got back from a late showing. My friends and I really enjoyed ourselves. However, I can see why it would be considered a bomb by critics and moviegoers. Cheno is, of course, adorable and hilarious in her supporting role. I hope she has a prosperous film career ahead of her.