Jami Bernard
Gary Dretzka
Leonard Klady
David Poland
Doug Pratt
Ray Pride
Stu VanAirsdale

..Gary Dretzka
..Leonard Klady
..David Poland
..Ray Pride

Bruce Almighty
Directed by: Tom Shadyac

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High concept, low wattage - simply stated, that's the dilemma of Bruce Almighty the newest offering showcasing the talents of Jim Carrey.

The outrageous concept is that a sort of everyman, a put upon modern Jonah, is selected by God - the resonant-toned, elegant Morgan Freeman - to have divine powers. The excuse for this largesse is that the true Almighty wants to take a vacation and needs someone to ease his work load in Buffalo, New York and its environs.

Of course, the true intent runs much deeper. God is setting up the shallow, self-centered local TV commentator to experience what responsibility and commitment entails. And, with that, become a better person.

While the notion behind the new film echoes the likes of It's a Wonderful Life and Oh, God! Its gaze lacks the gentle observation and emotional core of those antecedents. Bruce Almighty is a goosed up, frantic razzle-dazzle, lowbrow potty humor effort that demands we ask: why this schnook? It has no satisfying answer to offer.

As embodied by Carrey, the titular character is an emotionally immature, commitment phobic, second-rate talent who nonetheless has a well-honed ego. When he's passed over for a seat at the news desk - beaten by an equally vain, superficial type - he "loses it" on air and is tossed into the street. He refuses solace from his girlfriend (Jennifer Aniston) and is so consumed in his sense of loss that he cannot move forward.

That's when divine intervention enters the scene. God summons Bruce for a meeting and after putting a pin in his skepticism, anoints him with heavenly powers. His sole conditions are that he keeps his silence and not tamper with anyone's free will.

Had George Bailey been offered this deal, one is confident he would have gone out and rewarded good deeds and hard work. Bruce simply takes measures to secure his old job and advance to the position of news anchor. He also divines a sporty new car and wardrobe for himself.

Admittedly, God was less than forthright about the man's responsibilities. He's also expected to answer prayers and when he simply grants all wishes, mayhem ensues. One has to wonder what sort of higher being would place such responsibility in the hands of someone so obviously incapable of the task.

In the presence of such irrational thinking, Carrey's encouraged or compelled to play big in the manner of Ace Ventura or The Mask. He even has a Jerry Lewis moment when he sits down at his keyboard to answer prayers. However, unlike those earlier incarnations, the actor has no foil to vanquish other than himself. And when it's time to confront the sobering truth, one simply cannot believe this character has the depth or compassion to view his life with clarity.

Indifferently directed in the style of a small screen sitcom by Tom Shadyac, Bruce Almighty begs one last question: What hath Hollywood wrought?

A Universal Pictures release of a Shady Acres/Pit Bull production. Produced by Tom Shadyac, Jim Carrey, James Brubaker, Michael Bostick, Steve Koren, Mark O'Keefe. Director, Shadyac. Screenplay, Koren, O'Keefe & Steve Oedekerk; story, Koren, O'Keefe. Camera, Dean Semler. Editor, Scott Hill. Music, John Debney. Production design, Linda Descenna. Costumes, Judy Ruskin. Visual effects supervisor, Bill Taylor.

Jim Carrey (Bruce Nolan), Morgan Freeman (God), Jennifer Aniston (Grace Connelly), Philip Baker Hall (Jack Baylor), Catherine Bell (Susan Ortega), Steven Carell (Evan Baxter) and Tony Bennett as himself.

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Release Date: May 23, 2003
Rated: PG-13

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Starring: Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman, Lisa Ann Walter, Nora Dunn
Produced by: Tom Shadyac, Jim Carrey, James D. Brubaker, Michael Bostick, Steve Koren, Mark O'Keefe, Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, Steve Oedekerk
Written by: Steve Koren, Mark O'Keefe, Steve Oedekerk, Michael O'Keefe

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Distributor: Universal

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Review Date: May 23, 2003