Bruce Almighty
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Bruce Almighty (2003) is a comedy movie directed by Tom Shadyac and written by Steve Koren, Mark O'Keefe and Steve Oedekerk. It starred Jim Carrey, Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Aniston. The tagline of the movie is In Bruce we Trust?
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Plot
Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) is a TV news reporter who fails to get a job as an anchorman and, after a series of other bad luck incidents, complains to God that he is treating him unfairly and is doing a poor job as supreme deity. Bruce is then contacted by God (Morgan Freeman) and endowed with almighty powers to prove that he can do a better job. Bruce quickly abuses his newfound powers for personal gain, only to be reminded that he also has to take care of other people's problems. Meanwhile, Bruce endangers his relationship with girlfriend Grace Connelly (Jennifer Aniston) through his self-centered behavior. In the end, Bruce realizes that God's powers are best left for God to handle and graciously asks for God to take control of his life.
Controversy and reaction
The film carefully avoids religious controversy as God seems to be of no particular denomination and few theological questions are discussed. Issues such as omnipotence and omniscience are not explored in any detail as most of the film is set in the area of Buffalo, New York. The movie was banned in Egypt due to pressure from Islamic zealots who objected to the portrayal of God in the form of a human being. There were also rigorous protests from a small, but vocal, faction of the otherwise liberal Muslim population in Malaysia; however, the government did not outlaw its screening, and Bruce Almighty still appears occassionally on Malaysian satellite television.
Some contend that Robert Bausch, author of the book Almighty Me, is the orginal creator of the Bruce Almighty storyline, citing similarities between the book and movie. Bausch had no credit toward officially creating the story.
The movie received relatively positive reviews, and took in nearly $243 million, making it Jim Carrey's most successful film since 2000's How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Telephone numbers
The film caused controversy because God contacts Bruce using an actual phone number rather than a number in the standard fictional 555 telephone exchange. Several people and groups sharing this number have received hundreds of phone calls from people wanting to talk to God. The producers note that the number chosen was not in use in the area the film is set in, but did not check anywhere else.
The original telephone number started with 776. The home video and television versions changed it to the fictional 555.
Sequel
A sequel, tentatively called Evan Almighty, is currently in the planning stages and is slated to star Steve Carell, who had a minor role in Bruce Almighty. Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston declined to reprise their roles in the film, but Morgan Freeman is currently in negotiations to return. Production is scheduled to begin in early 2006.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Jim Carrey as Bruce Nolan
- Morgan Freeman as God
- Jennifer Aniston as Grace Connelly
- Lisa Ann Walter as Debbie
- Philip Baker Hall as Jack Baylor
- Steve Carell as Evan Baxter
- Catherine Bell as Susan Ortega
- Sally Kirkland as Anita Mann
- Nora Dunn as Ally Loman
Crew
- Director: Tom Shadyac
- Writer: Steve Koren
- Writer: Mark O'Keefe
- Writer: Steve Oedekerk
Box Office
Bruce Almighty is the second highest grossing live-action comedy of all time, grossing $458 million worldwide. The film trails only Home Alone, and has out-earned Meet the Fockers and Mrs. Doubtfire.
During its opening weekend in the United States, the film earned $85 million, a respectable sum for a film with an $81 million budget.
External links
| Bruce Almighty BruceAlmighty_poster.jpg | |
| IMDB Page (external link) | |
| Writer: | Steve Koren Mark O'Keefe Steve Oedekerk |
| Starring: | Jim Carrey Morgan Freeman Jennifer Aniston |
| Director: | Tom Shadyac |
| Music by: | John Debney |
| Distributor: | Universal Studios |
| Release Date: | 2003 (USA) |
| Runtime: | 101 min. |
| Language: | English |
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