Bruce Almighty (2003)

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

Director:

Tom Shadyac

Writers:

Steve Koren (story), Mark O'Keefe (story),

Stars:

Jim Carrey, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Aniston

7 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Bruce Nolan, a television reporter in Buffalo, N.Y., is discontented with almost everything in life despite his popularity and the love of his girlfriend Grace . At the end of the worst day of his life, Bruce angrily ridicules and rages against God and God responds. God appears in human form and, endowing Bruce with divine powers, challenges Bruce to take on the big job to see if he can do it any better.

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Plot Keywords:

reporter | prayer | responsibility | deal | eating paste | 

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Taglines:

If you could be God for one week, what would you do?

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Universal Pictures (us)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 May 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bruce Allmächtig

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$81,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$420,203 (Japan) (19 December 2003)

Gross:

$3,408,154 (Japan) (16 January 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Spyglass Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Shady Acres Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jim Carrey often insisted on doing upwards of 30 takes of some scenes.

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Goofs

Flipped Shot: Bruce's Hair is parted on his left. When he meets God during the the town riots, his hair is parted on the other side for a split second.

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Quotes

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

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Crazy Credits

There are several outtakes and goofs from the movie during the ending credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Mad: FrankenWinnie/ParaMorgan (2012)

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Soundtracks

"The Candy Man"
Written by Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley

User Reviews

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).