Adequate comedy-fantasy

Rating: 6/10 (27 June 2004)

This is an fast-moving and engaging comedy-fantasy with enough gags that work well to make you overlook the equally abundant duds and the relentless lack of restraint applied to Carrey's performance by both director and actor. There's no question that Carrey is a genius at goofy comedy, but even genius must be applied appropriately.
The rest of the cast fares much better. Morgan Freeman is, of course, magnificent as the Almighty feeling the need to teach Bruce some humility. His scenes are the best in the film. Catherine Bell (from TV's "Jag") is both provocative and luminescent as the co-anchor Susan Ortega. She gives memorable dimensionality to what could have been a caricature. Jennifer Aniston continues to prove her mettle as a versatile and aware leading lady. She is perfectly aware that she is merely the obligatory lead female in Carrey's star vehicle, but puts her all into fleshing out Grace as an independent person that we care about. Philip Baker Hall and Sally Kirkland are solid in important supporting roles while Tony Bennett has a fun cameo.
Given the plot's immense possibilities, I am disappointed that the movie chose to channel its energies so narrowly, but at least, in doing so, it made me laugh. I give it 6/10.