Title: "Bruce Almighty"
Director: Tom Shadyac
Producer: T. Shadyac, J. Carrey,
Editing: Scott Hill
Composer: John Debney
Starring:
- Jim Carrey as Bruce Nolan
- Morgan Freeman as God
- Jennifer Anniston as Grace Connelly
- Steve Carell as Evan Baxter
Plot and Critical Review: Bruce Nolan is a television field reporter for Channel 7 Eyewitness News in Buffalo, New York who, through his continuous coverage of media interest stories, rather than hard news, is unsuccessful at getting a job as an anchorman. He is in love with his girlfriend Grace, and wants to marry her, but is also very attracted to his co-worker, Susan. After a series of other incidents of ill fortune in one day, he complains to God that He is treating him (Bruce) unfairly and is doing a poor job as supreme deity. God then contacts Bruce and grants Bruce all of his power so as to prove which one is the better at doing God's job of taking care of the world. Bruce uses his new-found omnipotent powers for personal gain. He gains the status of Mr. Exclusive by presenting news of a meteor hurling down near a local fair, uncovering the corpse of Jimmy Hoffa, and getting the rival news group reporters arrested on charges of possessing marijuana.
Bruce endangers his relationship with Grace through his selfish behavior. God then reminds Bruce that "He" is also charged with the task of resolving people's problems. God tells Bruce that if he wants, Bruce can fix all the world's problems in a few minutes, but he offers that advice knowing it's untrue. Bruce receives millions of prayers that only he can hear, all of which, according to God, originate only from a few streets in his own town. Bruce is thus able to realize how much work God must do to keep the cosmos "in line". Reading the prayers in the form of e-mails, Bruce merely "answers all" granting all of them.
At a party to celebrate his promotion, Bruce attempts to call Grace to get her to come. However, when Grace arrives, Bruce is seduced by Susan who passionately kisses him. Grace witnesses this and storms off. Bruce finds that all the prayers he has answered have consequences, such as many people from his town winning the lottery and starting a riot. Bruce then begins to use his powers with more discretion by examining prayers properly and helping others around him, such as a homeless man who has appeared to him at times to convey philosophical speeches. During that day's evening, as Bruce is receiving prayers he searches for prayers sent by Grace. He discovers that Grace is praying to God (in real-time) for help to stop loving Bruce because she doesn't want to hurt anymore.
Depressed, Bruce walks onto a highway and realizes that God's powers are best left for God to handle. He falls to his knees and asks God to take control of his life but is struck by an oncoming semi truck and dies. He awakes in Heaven where God asks him what he really wants. Bruce asks that Grace find a man who may make her truly happy and see her through God's eyes. At this, Bruce is revived by paramedics and does not have God's powers anymore, realizing his prayers have been answered. Later, Bruce has returned to his field reporting job and is engaged to Grace. The ending scene features a close-up of the homeless man whose image morphs slightly and is revealed to have been God all along.
Director: Tom Shadyac
Producer: T. Shadyac, J. Carrey,
Editing: Scott Hill
Composer: John Debney
Starring:
- Jim Carrey as Bruce Nolan
- Morgan Freeman as God
- Jennifer Anniston as Grace Connelly
- Steve Carell as Evan Baxter
Plot and Critical Review: Bruce Nolan is a television field reporter for Channel 7 Eyewitness News in Buffalo, New York who, through his continuous coverage of media interest stories, rather than hard news, is unsuccessful at getting a job as an anchorman. He is in love with his girlfriend Grace, and wants to marry her, but is also very attracted to his co-worker, Susan. After a series of other incidents of ill fortune in one day, he complains to God that He is treating him (Bruce) unfairly and is doing a poor job as supreme deity. God then contacts Bruce and grants Bruce all of his power so as to prove which one is the better at doing God's job of taking care of the world. Bruce uses his new-found omnipotent powers for personal gain. He gains the status of Mr. Exclusive by presenting news of a meteor hurling down near a local fair, uncovering the corpse of Jimmy Hoffa, and getting the rival news group reporters arrested on charges of possessing marijuana.
Bruce endangers his relationship with Grace through his selfish behavior. God then reminds Bruce that "He" is also charged with the task of resolving people's problems. God tells Bruce that if he wants, Bruce can fix all the world's problems in a few minutes, but he offers that advice knowing it's untrue. Bruce receives millions of prayers that only he can hear, all of which, according to God, originate only from a few streets in his own town. Bruce is thus able to realize how much work God must do to keep the cosmos "in line". Reading the prayers in the form of e-mails, Bruce merely "answers all" granting all of them.
At a party to celebrate his promotion, Bruce attempts to call Grace to get her to come. However, when Grace arrives, Bruce is seduced by Susan who passionately kisses him. Grace witnesses this and storms off. Bruce finds that all the prayers he has answered have consequences, such as many people from his town winning the lottery and starting a riot. Bruce then begins to use his powers with more discretion by examining prayers properly and helping others around him, such as a homeless man who has appeared to him at times to convey philosophical speeches. During that day's evening, as Bruce is receiving prayers he searches for prayers sent by Grace. He discovers that Grace is praying to God (in real-time) for help to stop loving Bruce because she doesn't want to hurt anymore.
Depressed, Bruce walks onto a highway and realizes that God's powers are best left for God to handle. He falls to his knees and asks God to take control of his life but is struck by an oncoming semi truck and dies. He awakes in Heaven where God asks him what he really wants. Bruce asks that Grace find a man who may make her truly happy and see her through God's eyes. At this, Bruce is revived by paramedics and does not have God's powers anymore, realizing his prayers have been answered. Later, Bruce has returned to his field reporting job and is engaged to Grace. The ending scene features a close-up of the homeless man whose image morphs slightly and is revealed to have been God all along.
"Bruce Almighty" is noted for the favor it gained among many Christan organizations for its portrayal of God and Christian-related themes. It has cinematic value as being the first wide-released film to feature the talents of Steve Carell who has gone on to enormous success in other movies (including "Evan Almighty", which continues the story of Evan Baxter) and the award-winning sitcom, "The Office".
My Rating: 7.5/10
Content to Caution:
V-1 – No comment.
L-3 – A bit of cursing, including the unexpected use of the "F-Word" early on.
DU-1 - No comment.
RT-0 – No comment.
H/S-0 – No comment.
CH-2.5 – Some sexual humor.
S/N-1.5 – One scene in which Bruce, using his divine powers, seduces his wife and seems to cause her breasts to grow in size.
The "Reel Revelation": "Staring Into The Sacred Screen"
"Bruce Almighty" has quickly become one of the most popular films used by Christians in spiritual film review, and with good reason! It satisfies the curiosities of many by telling the story of an ordinary man who receives the super power of all super powers; the divine power of God. It's also full of Biblical reference and references to elements of Judeo-Christian spirituality. While it's not a Christian film (that is, Jesus is almost nowhere to be seen outside of indirect reference) it is a film that deals with elements of spirituality in relation to the human experience. This movie also provides a good starting point if you're interested in learning how to review films from a spiritual perspective.
I've used the term "Staring Into The Sacred Screen" for a while, placing it atop Bible study curriculum, lectures, and now a "Reel Revelation". I've also used it to describe my personal philosophy toward approaching the way we (Christians) ought to watch movies. While motion pictures can serve the simple function of visual entertainment, I believe we ought to pay closer attention to what God might be telling us through the stories, parables, and metaphors we see on the screen. Thus we watch the "sacred screen", a sort-of-sacramental device through which God can teach us about our experiences in this world and our relationship to others and Himself.
Several people have asked me how I put together the "Reel Revelations". It'd take a whole bunch of explaining to describe my exact process, so I thought i'd share a few suggestions you might keep in mind the next time you watch a movie. I hope they'll help you to discover a "Reel Revelation" in the movies you watch!
1. Know that God is present. Whether you're in a packed movie theater or alone in your living room, recognize that God is present and with you as you watch. While that might make us uncomfortable as we don't always watch things God is pleased with, have faith that God will still speak to you regardless of what's on the screen in front of you. Remember, "...God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong..." (1 Cor. 1:27)
2. Watch for Biblical likeness. Rarely do we find a movie that comes up with 100% original ideas and plot devices. Almost all film (and all art, to some degree) deals with the same set of universal topics and themes; life, death, love, loss of love, eternity, search for happiness, keeping a promise, breaking a promise, hope, power, conflict, and so on. A great many (if not all) of these topics are found in the Bible. Keep your eyes open for moments that reflect Biblical stories or ideas.
3. Watch for ethical or moral dilemmas. While such moments don't have to reflect Biblical dilemmas of the same kind (although they might), they still speak to human experience and can help to illumine our daily struggles. Remember, almost all art reflects life.
4. Listen for the lines that matter. How is God speaking to you through the words of the actors on the screen? Like watching for ethical or moral dilemmas, we should also keep our ears open and listen for statements or questions that strike us in a noticeable way. It's hard to define the feeling of this, but I think we all know it when it comes. We feel as if a certain set of words have an unusual amount of importance; importance no director or actor could have given them. Remember that God's voice doesn't always sound in the obvious and glaringly spiritual places. Elijah heard God's voice in the "gentle blowing" (1 Kings 19:12 - NASB) of the wind, not in the earthquake or firestorm.
5. Ask questions! Feel free to ask questions about what you've seen. Start with questions that relate your life to the content of the film, questions like 'How would I have reacted in that situation?' or 'Have I ever felt that way?' While some movies present us with fantastic and out-of-this-world scenarios, they all point back (they must, for they were made by humans) to a foundational element of what makes us human. Ask questions of yourself and God to make sense of where a particular movie might point you.
Let me be clear; movies do not replace the Bible. My efforts to draw spiritually relevant topics out of motion pictures is a discipline and a labor for God and the family of faith. I do not mean to elevate motion pictures beyond their function as a mode of entertainment. While I believe we can (and ought to) seek God's message through them, we must not allow any artistic medium to replace the Word of God in our lives. Spend time in the Bible daily and drink from the deep well of God's message for you.
See you tomorrow - E.T.
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