Creative quotient
This film is about the classic theme of selling your soul to the devil in return of apparent happiness. It’s been done before in movies like Brendon Fraser and Liz Hurley in 2000’s Bedazzled, but there is something different in Shortcut To Happiness. This comedy film adds a third element to that premise by having a person who can save the human from his dreaded contract with the devil.
Directed by Alec Baldwin, who also plays the protagonist, this film is about Jabez Stone, a down-and-out writer whose writing interests none. In a moment of pique he proclaims to set things straight and hurls his typewriter out, which accidentally hits a woman and kills her. Now, in a complete mess, Stone hopes for a miracle and in pops The Devil in a female avatar (Jennifer Love Hewitt).
She makes him sign a pact for his soul and in return offers all the world’s fame and fortune. Soon after Stone’s novel’s become bestsellers even though the critics murder his writing in their reviews. In connection with one of his books Jabez meets publisher Daniel Webster (Anthony Hopkins) who offers Stone a chance to break the contract. Stone is in two minds as he’s relishing every bit of his newfound stardom but ruing being away from family and friends.

Technical expertise
Though there is nothing new in the premise, a unique perspective of a third person saving the human from the devil’s clutches adds credibility to the film’s plot. There might be nothing special in the scripting of the film but the story in itself has a charm.
The film’s highlight is its cast and the performances from Anthony Hopkins and Jennifer Love Hewitt are worth applauding. Hopkins brings his trademark finesse and command to his role while Love Hewitt packs a surprise punch as the naughty devil. Baldwin seems a little lost in his role, perhaps because his focus was divided in direction as well.
Viewers might find this a little odd, but all the actors in the film look surprisingly young. The reason is that the film completed shooting in 2001. But, due to production problems the film was shelved and only recently revived for a release.