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For Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) it is not just another bad day that he complains to God about.
This is the worst day of his life. He has just lost the opportunity to become his TV station's regular newscaster, a position he covets most. So he has to stay on as the reporter of special events, which he no longer wants to do. He gets mauled for helping a hobo, and also crashes his car. To top it all he steps into a deep puddle and messes himself. His remaining hold on himself gives way to resentment. He raves and rants, "Why me!?" "Answer me!" Lifting his fist, he challenges God to a confrontation. When Bruce finds a computer-relayed job offer sent to him he decides to check on it and comes face to face with God (Morgan Freeman), who offers him His position while He takes a short vacation. Bruce is allowed to run the world using "any way you choose," "do anything you want," but "don't mess with freewill." An added admonition is to tell no one of this arrangement. He tries out doing some things and realizes that the power given him is real.
Bruce Nolan acts and talks very well like someone who doesn't know much about God, nor really
understand Him.
Jim Carrey adeptly suits h is characterization to the gradual change Bruce undergoes as the movie moves along. Morgan Freeman is a very appropriate match as God. He wears a serious mien, exudes patience, tinged with flashes of humor in dealing with Bruce. Although Jim is his natural funny self, his acting rnage is somewhat controlled and not so ludicrous. Still, because Bruce is humanly immature and given to impulsive negative reactions, his human weakness affects his role as God. The story is adequately structured to show the development of Bruce's relationship with God, his involvement with his girl friend, and his self-realization and change.
Bruce Almighty begins with using his powers for his personal benefit.
Like opening a middle lane in a clogged traffic so he could whiz his car through; arranging a closer, thus bigger moon and brighter stars for a more romantic evening with Grace; punishing the punks who beat him up for rescuing the hobo from them, and using "extraordinary" means to retrieve the job he wants. When God questions him what he has done for the world, for others, he realizes that almost a week is up, and he has just been taking care of himself. Though the movie contains questionable aspects, like Grace and Bruce's cohabitation, and Bruce's irreverent behavior with God, there are many positive aspects. For instance, Grace is prayerful. Shown is her praying to God because of her pain in relation to Bruce, and asking Him to help her let him go. Though rebellious, Bruce recognizes God's important presence in his life, and talks to him in an adamant and challenging way. Yet when he realizes his failure and inadequacy, and finds that he has made a mess of the world"World's gone mad"; he can't even with his girlfriend backhe turns to God and tells Him: "You win, I'm done
I let you decide what's right for me. I surrender to your will." When asked whether he wants his girlfriend back, he tells God: "No, I want her to be happy, whatever makes her happy. Make sure who will see her, always as I see her, now through your eyes."
(Date Reviewed: May 30, 2003)
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