Bruce Almighty (2003)

Director:

Tom Shadyac

Writers (WGA):

Steve Koren (story) &
Mark O'Keefe (story) ...

Release Date:

23 May 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

Tagline:

How would you handle the most awesome responsibility in the universe?

Plot:

A guy who complains about God too often is given almighty powers to teach him how difficult it is to run the world.

Plot Keywords:

God | Reporter | Responsibility | Deal | Prayer

Awards:

7 wins & 7 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Wed. Nov. 25	11:00 PM	USA
Sat. Nov. 28	4:30 PM	USA

Cast

Jim Carrey	...	Bruce Nolan
Morgan Freeman	...	God
Jennifer Aniston	...	Grace Connelly
Philip Baker Hall	...	Jack Baylor
Catherine Bell	...	Susan Ortega
Lisa Ann Walter	...	Debbie
Steve Carell	...	Evan Baxter (as Steven Carell)
Nora Dunn	...	Ally Loman
Eddie Jemison	...	Bobby
Paul Satterfield	...	Dallas Coleman
Mark Kiely	...	Fred Donohue
Sally Kirkland	...	Anita
Tony Bennett	...	Himself
Timothy Di Pri	...	Bruce's Cameraman (as Timothy DiPri)
Brian Tahash	...	Bruce's Soundman

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language, sexual content and some crude humor.

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | Malaysia:18PL (re-rating) | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Brazil:Livre | Canada:PG | Chile:TE | Denmark:7 | Egypt:(Banned) | Finland:K-7 | France:U | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIA | Malaysia:(Banned) (original rating) | Netherlands:MG6 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Peru:PT | Philippines:PG-13 | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #39779)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The name of the weather man (Dallas Coleman) and the name of the sportscaster (Fred Donohue) are both combinations of famous Los Angeles area newscasters: weather men Dallas Raines and Fritz Coleman, and sportscasters Fred Roggin and Todd Donoho.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the DVD version, the pager shows the fictitious number, made to avoid privacy issues. However Bruce reads out the original number.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Bruce: God, why do you hate me?

Movie Connections:

Spoofs The Seven Year Itch (1955)

Soundtrack:

Japanese Garden

Carrey on form

Now either you like Mr Carrey's humour or you don't. Me, Myself and Irene had audiences both walking out in droves and, on the other hand, cheering and collapsing in puddles of mirth. Bruce Almighty is a bit more mainstream, but you have been warned.

If you're not sure, watch the trailer. I saw the trailer three times and still laughed at the same gags when I saw the film. If you don't find the sight of a dog putting the seat down after using the loo funny, don't bother with the movie.

Carrey, a reporter stuck in a rut covering 'lighter news' berates God when the whole of his life seems to be going to pot. God takes up the challenge and asks Carrey if he can do better. Carrey gets into the swing of having all of God's powers by making his girlfriend (Jennifer Aniston)'s breasts bigger, getting himself promoted, and answering everyone's prayers by single stroke computer commands.

This is not a highbrow movie or even that memorable, but it is very well made within it's very limited intent, provides almost continuous laughs to Carrey fans, and even any religious cheesiness is likely to be inoffensive to all but the most narrow-minded god-squadders and anti-god-squadders.

On the more thoughtful level, the film tempts us to speculate about Carrey's own career - stuck in his 'comedy' typecasting he has largely failed to make an impression as a serious actor even after winning two Golden Globes. His most accomplished 'straight' role, the Man on the Moon, is less well known that his comedy romps - or The Truman Show (on which the Academy heaped three nominations whilst bypassing Carrey).