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:

Flooding into cinemas soon

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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

Originally conceived as a direct sequel to Bruce Almighty (2003) with Jim Carrey reprising his role from the original. Robert Florsheim and Josh Stolberg's script "The Passion of the Ark" attracted high bids in Hollywood in 2004, and was eventually bought by Sony. Director Tom Shadyac, who was part of a failed Universal bid for the script, suggested to Sony that they partner to rework the project as a sequel to Bruce Almighty (2003), with Carrey indicating he would consider returning. Writer Steve Oedekerk rewrote the script, but Carrey eventually bailed on the project in 2005. Shadyac stayed on though when Steve Carell, whose star had risen after the success of The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005), agreed to star in the film, reprising the role of Evan Baxter, this time as the lead character.

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Goofs

Even though the area code for the phone number on Eve Adams's real estate signs is 804, which is the area code for Richmond, some two hours away from Washington, D.C., it was a cellular telephone number. So she could have been issued the telephone number in Richmond, then later relocated to Washington D.C.. People very often (in fact it's the norm) keep their cellular telephone numbers when they relocate.

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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

Featured in Getaway: Episode #16.33 (2007)

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Soundtracks

Revolution
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Produced by Dan Huff
Performed by Rascal Flatts
Courtesy of Lyric Street Records

User Reviews

So disappointing

Honestly one of the two most disappointing movies I have ever seen (the other being Big Top Pee Wee). Let me first state that I was really looking forward to this movie. I really liked Bruce Almighty (part one). I also thought the idea of having the sequel being centered around the Noah story was a strong idea. I felt you bring back Steve Carrell and bring back Morgan Freeman. That is was an interesting way to get by without Jim Carrey. Afterall Steve Carrell is a rising Hollywood star…the next Jim Carrey or Will Farrell. I saw the clips of Steve with his beard and Noah get up…the visual looked funny to me. I thought there was room for some funny scenes with Animals.

Honestly I was wrong dead wrong. The only animal getting really any valuable screen time were the Baboons…the animals were hardy in it. I think most were just stage dressing done with CGI. Honestly the script for this movie needed a total overhaul. You will watch this movie and think you are being treated like you are some kind of moron. The worse thing about this movie though is it is not funny…probably the directors fault because everything that should be funny just isn't.

Again as for the script, weird things start happening to Evan. And Evan rather than try to convince people that something strange is going on….just seems fine with everyone thinking he is crazy. A good example is one morning Evan wakes up with a beard. He tries to shave the beard. In second the beard grows right back. So rather than show his wife, family, and friends this….he simply lets them think he is crazy. I mean seriously, if some man you knew grew a full beard overnight (or really in one second) would you not think something strange is happening…instead people think Evan is crazy. Then, animals following Evan around everywhere he goes…in pairs. But rather than thinking something strange is going on…everyone thinks Evan is crazy….look people you can see the animals follow Evan around…he does not have a leash on. It is one thing after another that leaves you going – HELLO SCRIPT WRITERS ARE YOU FIVE YEARS OLD! So again, this movie was painfully bad. I really feel I needed to write a review. About 30 minutes into this I was going….wow I am so bummed….I looked forward to this movie…………………………..and unfortunately it was total crap. Don't waste your time on it. This movie was rumored to cost like $200 Million to make…let them lose money on it because the people deserve better than to be treated like total morons. I could not be more disappointed.