Evan Almighty (2007)

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

Director:

Tom Shadyac

Writers:

Steve Oedekerk (screenplay), Steve Oedekerk (story)

Stars:

Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham

2 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Buffalo newsman Evan Baxter is elected to Congress with the slogan, "Change the world." He lucks into a huge house in a new Virginia suburb. His Capitol office is also fantastic, but there's a catch: he's tapped by the powerful Congressman Long to co-sponsor a bill to allow development in national parks. In steps God, who appears to a disbelieving Evan and gently commands him to build an ark. Tools and wood arrive in Evan's yard, animal pairs follow, his beard and hair grow wildly, nomad's clothes and a staff appear. Long grows impatient, Evan starts building, his family leaves him, reporters gather, and drought grips D.C. Still, Evan believes. But will he change the world?

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Plot Keywords:

ark | congressman | change | flood | depiction of god | 

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Taglines:

A comedy of biblical proportions

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild rude humor and some peril

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Spain] Paramount [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 June 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bruce: The Second Coming

Filming Locations:

Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$175,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$31,192,615, 24 June 2007, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$100,462,298

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$173,418,781

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment, Relativity Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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Goofs

The European map on the wall in the hallway is totally incorrect. Portugal seems to be part of Spain, Turkey is smaller, there's a new country on eastern Mediterranean and Northern African countries are dislocated.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Susan Ortega: And that's the news. But before we sign off, we'd like to thank our very own Evan Baxter, who has just been elected Buffalo's representative to Congress. And now we have a surprise for Evan.
Evan Baxter: No, you don't.
Susan Ortega: We do.
Evan Baxter: Oh, no. I really didn't expect this.
Susan Ortega: Here's a look back at his run for office.

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Crazy Credits

The Department of Homeland Security's cooperation and assistance does not reflect an endorsement of the contents of the film or the treatment of the characters therein.

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Connections

Referenced in Evan Almighty: A Flood of Visual Effects (2007)

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Soundtracks

Waiting on the World to Change
Written by John Mayer
Performed by John Mayer
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment

User Reviews

Sweet film

I saw an advanced preview. A sequel to 'Bruce Almighty', A workaholic Dad and husband becomes a congressman and moves to a peaceful little rich town. At work there's something fishy and its 'wolf' eat 'wolf'. He prays to fulfil his campaign promise - to change the world. Weird things start happening to him including goafer wood being dropped outside his house and Gen 614 turning up everywhere. When he sees God himself (Morgan freeman) he thinks hes gone nuts, especially when God tells him to build an ark as a flood is coming. Evan is unwilling to do it but after a little 'persuasion' from God almost involving him getting fired from work, Evan agrees. This is a very sweet and funny film, it is especially heart-warming seeing Evan spending time with his kids building the ark and the animals joining in to help. It has a very moral message: Trust in God. The slight twist at the end helps to enforce this. Was slow and corny at times but still an entertaining film for all the family. :)