Let There Be Laughs
Bruce Almighty Hands Out "Holy" Humor

When I heard that Jim Carrey was making a comedy about a man endowed with the power of God, I thought "Here's a man not to stand near in a thunderstorm." Some people just seemed destined to be struck down by lightning. But rather than slipping into the obscene, absurd comedy that has become Carrey's trademark over the years with such films as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Me, Myself & Irene, he actually hit this one about right.

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"Walk with me." Bruce (Jim Carrey, right) goes for a little stroll with the man upstairs (Morgan Freeman) in the new comedy Bruce Almighty. (Universal, 2003)
Directed by: Tom Shadyac
Written by: Steve Koren & Mark O'Keefe and Steve Oedekerk
Starring: Jim Carrey, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Baker Hall, Catherine Bell, Lisa Ann Walter, and Steve Carell

Rated PG-13 (for language, sexual content and some crude humor)
Running time: 101 min.

FilmGuru's Rating : 6 out of 10.

In Bruce Almighty, Carrey plays a television news reporter who seems destined to forever report on offbeat human interest stories. His hopes of getting a position as news anchor are crushed, and he sees this as one more sign that God doesn't like him. While Bruce is busy blaming God for all his troubles, the almighty (played with warmth and a touch of humor by Morgan Freeman) decides to teach Bruce a lesson in responsibility. For one week, God gives Bruce a taste of real power and tells him to try and do a better job.

What ensues is at first the predictable silliness highlighted in the movie previews. Bruce uses his power to make himself look good, to seduce his girlfriend (Jennifer Aniston), and to advance his career. Once his own life is "perfect," however, Bruce discovers that there are things he should be doing for other people.

While I never would have expected it, there is actually a little substance to Bruce Almighty as a small morality play begins to take shape. Bruce discovers that he can't force people to love him, and that helping others is a reward unto itself. While the story never devolves into melodrama, there is a touch of Frank Capra here and there.

Carrey does a good job of playing Bruce as "over the top" when necessary while keeping him believable the rest of the time. Aniston does a remarkable job keeping up with Carrey and delivers one of the funniest off-hand comments in the movie (when seeing a kid at her day-care eat paste and glitter she remarks that he'll "crap an ornament").

My favorite in the film, however, is Freeman. An excellent actor in a multitude of films, he seems like the perfect selection for God. He has a quiet demeanor that is tender and fatherly. No matter what Bruce has said or done, he still seems to care about the wayward mortal. In short, he never reverts to wrath or punishment (although Bruce does tempt him). Instead, he plays God as a caring, patient being.

The comedy is pretty even keel, with a variety of laughs throughout the story. Of course, anyone who gets faint at the thought of making humor centered around God should probably stay away from this movie. While it never becomes blasphemous, the story does touch on some topics that I wouldn't feel comfortable discussing at church. Still, the power of the message about love and responsibility is enough to give it a good recommendation.