“Bruce Almighty” (Universal Pictures)
Jim Carrey has been looking for recognition as a “serious” actor. In “Man On the Moon” and “The Majestic” he showed that he could handle drama as well as comedy. The only problem was that neither of those films were hits. So now he is back to his comedy roots in “Bruce Almighty.” The problem this time is that the movie is not all that funny.
Carrey plays Bruce Nolan, a television reporter for a TV station in Buffalo, New York. He has high hopes for one day being made an anchor but for the time being he is stuck doing funny reports from the field. When he gets a chance to become anchor he is passed over for the weasely Evan Baxter (Steven Carell). This news causes him to throw a temper tantrum on air which results in him being suspended.
Bruce screams at God for being the cause of all his woes, and God (Morgan Freeman) answers him. He tells him he can be God for the next few days. At first Bruce is skeptical but eventually he realizes he does have the “power.”
Seeing Bruce use his powers makes for the best moments in the film but most of the funniest instances have already been shown in the trailers for the movie. That makes their appearance in the movie anticlimactic. Plus the first part of the movie, which sets the stage for Bruce’s confrontation with God, seems to take forever.
Carrey is the master of physical comedy, and he gives his face and body a workout in this film. But it is too much effort for too little effect. The movie lurches from one high spot to the next low spot and is uneven all the way through. What it does have in its favor is that it is never blasphemous and treats God with respect.
Jennifer Aniston is on hand as Bruce’s live in girl friend Grace. This role doesn’t require much acting ability on Aniston’s part. Mostly she just gets to be Rachel (her “Friends” character) in a new setting. Catherine Bell of “JAG” fame has some sexy moments as the anchorwoman at the TV station.
The best part of the movie comes when Bruce has Evan spouting gibberish on air. This scene is hilarious but it shows Carell’s comic abilities and not Carrey’s. It is very generous of Carrey as an actor to give Carell this plum part.
The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity.
“Bruce Almighty” has it s heart in the right place but its comedy bits are out of sync. It is more of the Carrey we saw in “Ace Ventura” and “The Mask” but he isn’t doing anything new. In the movie business “fresh” is the name of the game.
I scored “Bruce Almighty” a less than divine 4 out of 10.
