The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

George Miller

Writers:

John Updike (novel)
Michael Cristofer (writer)

Release Date:

12 June 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror | Music | Thriller

Tagline:

Something wicked this way comes.

Plot:

Three single women in a picturesque village have their wishes granted - at a cost - when a mysterious and flamboyant man arrives in their lives.

Plot Keywords:

New England | Male Musician | Sex | Tennis Racket | Classical Concert

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Jack Nicholson	...	Daryl Van Horne
Cher	...	Alexandra Medford
Susan Sarandon	...	Jane Spofford
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Sukie Ridgemont
Veronica Cartwright	...	Felicia Alden
Richard Jenkins	...	Clyde Alden
Keith Jochim	...	Walter Neff
Carel Struycken	...	Fidel
Helen Lloyd Breed	...	Mrs. Biddle
Caroline Struzik	...	Carol Medford
Michele Sincavage	...	Ridgemont Child
Nicol Sincavage	...	Ridgemont Child
Heather Coleman	...	Ridgemont Child
Carolyn Ditmars	...	Ridgemont Child
Cynthia Ditmars	...	Ridgemont Child

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:12 | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:PG | West Germany:12 (f) (re-rating) | Germany:16 (DVD rating) | Singapore:PG | Argentina:16 | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:16 (f) (original rating) | Canada:G (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Abbott Hall - 188 Washington Street, Marblehead, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The quote “A woman is a hole, isn't that what they say? All the futility of the world pouring into her” is from the French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre's book, “Being and Nothingness”.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the opening scenes Jane is shown conducting the school band and she is a terrible conductor who can't beat time properly, yet a little while later she appears as an excellent cello player, playing in a string quartet.

Quotes:

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?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Yes Man (2008)

Soundtrack:

Nessun Dorma

Exaggerated but enjoyable fantasy comedy/drama

This is probably THE weirdest film I have ever seen in my life. Despite being bizarre, it was a very good film to watch.

Three renowned Americans star as the "witches", Cher, Pfeiffer and Sarandon. All perform well in an enjoyable strange story as they all one night recap their lives and wish for them to be turned around, that's when Van Horne, played brilliantly by Nicholson (One flew over the cuckoo's nest, as good as it gets) arrives in their home town.

The story is exaggerated and unrealistic at points but regardless it is an engaging plot. You are always wondering what is happening and why, its strange but its gripping.

It's a well thought out story with great acting from everyone involved. The pace and tension are key but also the relaxation and mystery surrounding the story make it enjoyable and ironically heart-warming.

Some of the scenes involving the witches actions seem poor and deliberately stupid.

Nicholson's character is phenomenal, a sensational character who is juxtaposed with the three witches to create a tense and interesting scenario. He is very seductive, mysterious and manipulating and therefore is simply great to watch.

I was really unsure about the ending; I personally thought it was poor, completely over exaggerated. However it did leave many questions open and therefore encourages audiences to think carefully about it which makes it an interesting ending.

There are many ideologies of sex, families, children, and a strong idea of religion encoded. Religion is a key issue in this film, the way people believe in heaven and hell.

The use of story telling is also very powerful and influential to capture the character's views on life etc.

Apart from the ending and some very unrealistic scenes it is an engaging story, worth watching once but not an essential watch. The characters and setting are amazing with an acceptable storyline.

7/10