Evan Almighty (2007)

Director:

Tom Shadyac

Writers (WGA):

Steve Oedekerk (screenplay)
Steve Oedekerk (story) ...

Release Date:

22 June 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

A comedy of biblical proportions

Plot:

God contacts Congressman Evan Baxter and tells him to build an ark in preparation for a great flood.

Plot Keywords:

God | Ark | Congressman | Change | Flood

Awards:

1 win & 10 nominations

Cast

Steve Carell	...	Evan Baxter
Morgan Freeman	...	God
Lauren Graham	...	Joan Baxter
Johnny Simmons	...	Dylan Baxter
Graham Phillips	...	Jordan Baxter
Jimmy Bennett	...	Ryan Baxter
John Goodman	...	Congressman Long
Wanda Sykes	...	Rita
John Michael Higgins	...	Marty
Jonah Hill	...	Eugene
Molly Shannon	...	Eve Adams
Harve Presnell	...	Congressman Burrows
P.J. Byrne	...	Evan's Staffer
Ralph Louis Harris	...	Evan's Staffer (as Ralph Harris)
Arden Myrin	...	Evan's Staffer

Also Known As:

Bruce Almighty 2 (USA) (working title)
Bruce: The Second Coming (USA) (working title)
The Passion of the Ark (USA) (original script title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild rude humor and some peril.

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG | Netherlands:6 | UK:PG | Finland:K-7 | Ireland:PG | Singapore:PG | Portugal:M/6 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Australia:G | Germany:6 | Malaysia:18PL | Hong Kong:I | South Korea:All | Taiwan:GP | Argentina:Atp | Peru:PT | New Zealand:PG | Sweden:7 | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Much of the concept of this script and the amazing ArkAlmighty.com project it resulted in is based on the work of author and church planter, Steve Sjogren. At the time the screenwriters were fascinated with Sjogren's book, "Conspiracy of Kindness." At he end of the film Sjogren is mentioned as a creative consultant in the credits.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The Northern Virginia suburbs, though hilly in some places, are not mountainous as portrayed in the film.

Quotes:

Evan Baxter: These birds had a big meal earlier.
Rita: Want me to get my BB gun?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Moviemaking in Virginia: Take 3 (2008) (V)

Soundtrack:

Revolution

Is That A Llama With A Hammer?

With a cast of hugely talented comedic actors like Steve Carell, Lauren Graham, John Goodman and Wanda Sykes, I was expecting a laugh out loud comedy. Sadly, Shadyac's 'Evan Almighty' only provides a few such moments. There just isn't enough comedy and at times it's a little too dramatic. Throughout the films, there are only but a very few dialogues that are funny as a result of which actors like Sykes and Graham don't have enough comedy to work with. Carell reprises his role from the prequel 'Bruce Almighty' but this time he's a little more of a nicer guy. Overall, Carell does a good job but he's more in the 'Little Miss Sunshine' mode which brings 'Evan Almighty' down a notch because that kind of character doesn't fully work for this kind of film and it is Shadyac to be blamed for not making something better of something decent. Yet, Carell's the only one who provides comic relief even though it's with limited quantity. His interaction with the animals are awesome to watch. Morgan Freeman is more cheerful and more annoying in this one. Lauren Graham plays the typical housewife and mother well and her reaction to Carell's transformation is excellent. In spite of all it's flaws, it is the last half hour that lifts the film. It builds up the drama and suspense very well and sort of has an adventurous feel. This entire sequence is very well executed. The soundtrack is well used and the songs are nice too. Thus, despite its shortcomings, it's still entertaining, but don't expect a laugh riot.