Devil's Food (1996 TV Movie) User Reviews

An Expensive Diet Solution

[Uriah43 · 6/10 · 27 August 2021]

"Sally McCormick" (Suzanne Somers) is a television news anchor who wants to advance in her career and to do that it requires her to audition at several news stations in larger markets. Yet, although she is quite skilled her one problem is that she is overweight and as a result she doesn't fit the standard these news stations essentially require. Finally, after being told that she is actually being demoted at her current station she remarks to herself that she will sell her soul to lose weight. Suddenly a man by the name of "Seymour Kecker" (Dabney Coleman) appears who guarantees that he can make it happen. Although at first she thinks she is being teased, when he continues to appear at different times and in various other disguises she realizes that he is quite serious--and she finally agrees. What she doesn't know at the time, however, is how much her personality will also change once she not only achieves the weight she desires but also gains the popularity she feels she deserves. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that even though this film is billed as a comedy it doesn't actually have a great deal of humor. At least, nothing on a large scale. Even so, it is entertaining in its own right despite the fact that it is also a made-for-television movie. One more item I believe is worth mentioning is that, although Dabney Coleman's character is often portrayed as being "the devil", the very beginning of the movie clearly shows that he is only an apprentice. Be that as it may, I enjoyed this film for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

A woman makes a deal with the devil to stay slim to advance her career.

[ltlacey · 7/10 · 29 July 2008]

Okay, putting aside the venues where this film was shot and how seasons did not match up or vehicles did not work/match, overall, this was not too bad of a movie. One of those that are mildly entertaining in a somewhat useless gesture and good for an afternoon or evening when you just want to kick and back and not have to pay a lot of attention to what is going on. The premise of the movie is that for women to succeed, especially in a career where they are seen by millions, they must meet a certain physical criteria, and this movie makes an excellent point of this, which unfortunately is still in effect today. Our main character is plump, but professional, and because of her physical appearance, is not going to go anywhere in her career. So she makes a deal with the devil and wakes up to a very slim self. That no one would notice a weight loss of around 40 pounds overnight and not make some comment we'll just let go. As I said, this is one of those movies with a lot of flaws and holes, but not as bad as one might think. Of course, along the way, our lady realizes that dealing with the devil is not so great and tries to break the contract. Actually, I thought the solution to how she broke the contract was perfect.

A woman makes a deal with the Devil

[celestial_princess · 7/10 · 7 March 2021]

Admittedly, I saw this a long time ago (like more than 20 years ago, I'm sure), but I do remember liking it a lot. Suzanne Somers plays a TV personality who is having trouble losing weight and keeping it off. When the (literal) Devil shows up and offers an easy, long term solution in exchange for her soul, she takes it. The parts that stands out most in my mind is when she was at the party, eating a slice of decadent chocolate cake, and she was asked how she kept her weight down. She lies about it, of course, saying that she started exercising more; and I'll be honest with you, I would have done the same thing. The one thing I don't remember is how it ends. It's driving me nuts, and Lifetime never shows this movie anymore. Can anyone help me out?

Pretty Good Entertainment

[geoff33 · 8/10 · 19 December 2005]

The movie accomplished it's goal and that is to entertain the viewers and to add a little "preachy moral lesson" to the story. The movie was originally released as a "made-for-TV" movie featuring Suzanne Somers and I have only heard of it on late night cable once since 1996. The movie adhered to all the old school rules of TV and did it with taste. Bad guys can't win, evil and greedy people must get what they deserve in the end, and the hero of the story lives happily ever after. Classic old school television movie. The Devil disguises himself as a nice old man and tricks Suzanne Somers into an irrevocable deal. She thought she could live with it because it provided her with everything she always wanted. She felt that the only thing that kept her career from going to the top of the news industry was her battle to keep her weight down. The Devil promised to keep her weight steady in exchange for her soul, but she was amused by the offer because she didn't believe in God or a Devil. Her "eat all you want diet" gave her wealth, fame and more misery than she could have imagined. In fact, she becomes a monster as she rises to the top and others are hurt, repulsed and ruined by her irresponsible manipulation of the situation. Her love life and her morals, that she never knew she had, led her to ask to be released from the deal. It is a nice story that may have been a big hit if it had a bigger budget and a more ambitious goal than filling in a prime time spot during re-run time on a network.

always interesting to see if you can beat the devil

[camptadma · 9/10 · 31 December 2005]

I saw this movie and have tried, until a decade later now, to find reference to it. I'll not tell the result... This is a classical story about signing your soul to the devil, and then trying everything to get it back. The soul bartering is the most interesting part of the movie...She tried everything to find a breach in the devil's contract..and even found a way to get an extension... but no matter what was attempted; her soul was doomed.. I like to figure out endings before they are told, but wasn't able to figure this one out. it was fun and I was upset at myself for not being able to figure out the plot,, the plot was simple, yes, but did not lack the information needed to follow it though..

I don't remember the budget, or the errors in scenery that some others write about. I remember the message and the result... which is much more powerful than picking apart the inconsistencies in the filming. It is a made-for-TV movie, and is worth the time if you like a story to be told.

TV announcer makes a bargain with the Devil to lose weight.

[smmccord · 3 October 2015]

An aspiring TV announcer makes a bargain with the Devil in order to lose weight.

I've been looking for something about this movie for years and I'm glad to find it. Now to find it for sale at a reasonable price.

I agree that "Devil's Food" is mostly pretty silly except for the element that should be its main point. The television industry's use of near-glamorous actresses to read us the news is both hilarious and sickening—and it is portrayed wonderfully here.

(The credibility of sexy female TV announcers may very well have improved over the past twenty years; I don't know. I stopped relying on well painted and plasticized ladies who kept right on smiling while describing the scene of a horrible accident.)

So, how does Suzanne Somers come away from her bargain with the Devil? I'll not tell!

Love Suzanne

[scottpffr · 10/10 · 19 January 2022]

I love this movie especially the scenes with Suzanne in her silk robe she is so hot. I absolutely adore her Nd her gorgeous looks. She was 50 in this movie and looked absolutely amazing.