Simply Perfect

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Bruce Nolan is a news reporter working for a TV station in Buffalo, New York. He isn't satisfied with his life though; he is fed up of getting the more lightweight stories to report on while his rival Evan gets the more serious stories. When Bruce learns that Evan has been promoted to a job he wanted just before he presents a live report he finally snaps. This cost him his job and soon it seems as if everything is going wrong for him; the only thing good in his life is his girlfriend Grace although he somewhat takes her for granted. As more and more things go wrong he starts to blame God for all his woes... then one day he receives a strange message offering him a job. He goes to see what it is about and finds himself face to face with God! God proceeds to give Bruce his powers and tells him to do his job for a while. At first everything is great as he uses the powers to his own advantage but there are consequences; when he tries to help others by answering their prayers things get even worse... Bruce learns that being God isn't easy.If you are a fan of Jim Carrey then I expect you'll enjoy this as he is on fine form as Bruce. His gurning style may be too much for some people but for the most part he is funny rather than annoying. The story is entertaining and despite the subject matter I don't think it will offend too many people... it is never stated that God is the god of any one faith and his depiction is respectful; the fact that he is played by an on form Morgan Freeman helps of course. There are plenty of very funny moments; the best being a slightly crude scene involving a gang member and a monkey. The supporting cast is solid; most notably Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carell as girlfriend Grace and rival Evan. The film's conclusion is hardly surprising but that isn't a problem; we can enjoy the journey even though we know the destination. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody wanting a good laugh; especially if you are a fan of Jim Carrey.

Bruce Almighty is a 2003 fantasy film starring J Carry and tells the tale of a news anchor named Bruce Nolan who hates god (Morgan Freeman) so much he ends up gaining God's powers to see what he can do better. At first Bruce thinks it's great as his relationship with his girlfriend Grace Connelly(Jennifer Aniston) is on the rocks and he tries to make it better, he gets revenge on Steve Carrell's charcther Evan Baxter since he gets all the attention and at the end Bruce has to wonder is getting god's powers really that important to him.. There was slot of The Mask references in this(another Jim Carrey film) ranging from the mirror scene, the whole zero to hero charcther, both films had a hilarious alleyway scene. Overall Bruce Almighty was hilarious

Released in 2003, "Bruce Almighty" chronicles what happens when God (Morgan Freeman) gives His powers to a complaining news anchor (Jim Carrey) and takes a vacation. Jennifer Aniston plays Bruce's girlfriend and Steve Carell his rival anchor; Catherine Bell and Lisa Ann Walter are also on hand.In my opinion this is better than 1977's "Oh God!" because Morgan Freeman is superior in the role of the Almighty. Plus, how can you go wrong with Jim Carrey? While the movie starts off rather dull it perks up as soon as Bruce (Carrey) acquires God's powers; and for a solid half hour there are loads of laughs. At the end of the second act, however, the movie sorta nosedives, but then recovers in the last act with some surprisingly moving and even inspiring material. The movie runs 101 minutes and was shot in Buffalo, New York City, San Diego and the Los Angeles area. GRADE: B

Bruce Almighty (2003): Dir: Tom Shadyac / Cast: Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman, Philip Baker Hall, Steve Carell: Film about the suspension of self. Bruce Nolan works for a news network where he is bypassed for position as night anchorman. He lives with his girlfriend and a dog that uses the sofa as a toilet. He blames God for his misfortunes until God meets with him and proposes him his job. Bruce enlarges his girlfriend's breasts and makes his dog literally use the toilet. Provocative yet predictable with a touching climax. Directed by Tom Shadyac who previously collaborated with Carrey on the inferior Liar Liar and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Jim Carrey displays our frustration and lack of understanding of who God is. Jennifer Aniston as his girlfriend is straight forward seeking to move on to the next stage of their relationship. She is merely a prop for sexual sight jokes. Morgan Freeman plays off the wisdom of God who steps aside and allows Bruce to realize the true nature of God although Bruce becoming the likeness of Clint Eastwood fails because it is the media concept of Eastwood instead of God's creation of him. Philip Baker Hall also makes an appearance, and Steve Carell is also featured in a sabotaging segment that doesn't elevate his comic potential to the heights it would later reach. Film demonstrates God's power and our inability to fathom it. Score: 7 / 10