The original Bedazzled stars Dudley Moore and his comedy partner Peter Cook (as the Devil) and to me at least it shows how Cook was really the brain trust of the duo. Moore's Stanley is the punching bag through most of this, and it's Cook's dry wit and background gags that make me laugh (and a crazy Top of the Pops spoof). In terms of structure, it feels like a thematically-linked series of sketches, and by saying there's a little of the Devil in everyone, Cook gets to play characters in each of the parallel lives he gives the love-starved Stanley (only to deliciously troll him). And yet, Satan also has his own arc, and if Stanley's lesson is earmarked early and well learned, the Devil may get hoisted on his own petard. There's some smart theological humor, though also a big metaphysical plot hole, but only if you believe what the Devil says, which you shouldn't, especially that bit. There's a crazy credit for Raquel Welsh, but sadly, she's probably in it less than 5 minutes. Another one of the Devil's lies! No, the last piece of this three-hander is another comedy legend, Eleanor Bron, who also gets to play various versions of her character in the worlds of Bedazzled.
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Siskoid
The original Bedazzled stars Dudley Moore and his comedy partner Peter Cook (as the Devil) and to me at least it shows how Cook was really the brain trust of the duo. Moore's Stanley is the punching bag through most of this, and it's Cook's dry wit and background gags that make me laugh (and a crazy Top of the Pops spoof). In terms of structure, it feels like a thematically-linked series of sketches, and by saying there's a little of the Devil in everyone, Cook gets to play characters in each of the parallel lives he gives the love-starved Stanley (only to deliciously troll him). And yet, Satan also has his own arc, and if Stanley's lesson is earmarked early and well learned, the Devil may get hoisted on his own petard. There's some smart theological humor, though also a big metaphysical plot hole, but only if you believe what the Devil says, which you shouldn't, especially that bit. There's a crazy credit for Raquel Welsh, but sadly, she's probably in it less than 5 minutes. Another one of the Devil's lies! No, the last piece of this three-hander is another comedy legend, Eleanor Bron, who also gets to play various versions of her character in the worlds of Bedazzled.unterwasser
Hilarious film with brilliant performances from Cook, Moore and Bron. Amazed it’s not on any official lists.