Bruce Almighty [M]

Despite his popularity and the great love and support from his girlfriend, Grace, local TV reporter, Bruce Nolan, does not think that the world is treating him fairly. After his worst day ever, Bruce angrily rants at God, accusing him of ruining his life, punishing him, and generally mismanaging the universe. And, in a bizarre turn of events, God actually responds! For one week, God endows all his divine powers to Bruce to see if he can do a better job. What begins as a means for righting the wrongs in Bruce’s own life soon escalates into a great wave of misery and dependence, and poor Bruce realises that it’s actually not that easy being the Guy Upstairs. 

Really, this is nothing more than a fun, slightly funny, and uplifting film that is good if you want to watch something that will neither stimulate you emotionally or intellectually. Bruce Almighty isn’t a bad film really, but neither is it a work of amazing cinematic brilliance. It’s really just there to be enjoyed. There for a laugh. 

Despite his popularity and the great love and support from his girlfriend, Grave, local TV reporter, Bruce Nolan, does not think that the world is treating him fairly. After his worst day ever, Bruce angrily rants at God, accusing him of ruining his life, punishing him for no crime, and generally mismanaging the universe. And, in a bizarre turn of events, God actually responds! For one week, God endows all his divine powers to Bruce to see if he can do a better job. What begins as a means for righting the wrongs in Bruce’s personal life soon escalates into a great wave of misery and dependence, and poor Bruce realises that it’s actually not that easy being the Guy Upstairs. 

Essentially this film is just one big learning curve for the hero who begins the film as arrogant, vain, and egocentric, and then, through the hardship of having to think of others before oneself, learns to be a better man. The story has legs, and makes for a nice, fun, feel-good-and-laugh-out-loud film, but ultimately this is nothing more than that. 

Jim Carrey stars as Bruce and he delivered another classic performance that does not quite rival that of Liar Liar, but is definitely in the same ballpark. He was loud, grandiose, demanding, but there was also a sort of unhappiness and melancholy with him, that is only realised when it comes to the power of free will. 

Starring Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell, Lisa Ann Walter, and Morgan Freeman, Bruce Almighty is a fun little film that’s filled with magic, lessons, prayers, romance, and comedy. It harbours a fair few classic comedy moments and few lines that will easily catch on and slip into everyday conversation, but ultimately it’s a mediocre feel-good film and nothing more.