Bedazzled [VHS]
When the Devil (Peter Cook) offers suicidal short-order cook Stanley (Dudley Moore) seven wishes, Stanley easily surrenders his soul. All of his wishes are granted, to the letter. Unfortunately, as each wish comes to life, the Devil--cheeky sod!--manages to slip some unexpected problem into the mix, ruining everything in a deliciously funny way.Bedazzledwas made long before10andArthurmade Dudley Moore an unlikely movie star. It's a much purer expression of the off-kilter British humor that Moore and his writing partner Cook pioneered, humor that would lead toMonty Python's Flying Circusand other absurdist goofballs. Moore is charming enough, but what really makesBedazzledwork is Cook, who combines upper-class arrogance with a cheerful, even casual lunacy. Though he played character roles in movies likeThe Princess BrideandBlack Beauty, he was never able to parlay his sneaky sense of humor into starring roles.Bedazzledis his outstanding triumph. Not only does the movie offer some sly commentary on Christian morality, it has a cameo with Raquel Welch as the embodiment of Lust. A classic.--Bret Fetzer