Imagine if God was Ruby Wax, and then feel thankful we were stuck with Jim Carrey.

Rating: Null/10 (20 September 2003)

Many have speculated on what they would do if they were God (of course, many have also speculated on whether or not there's a God in the first place, but that's another story). "Bruce Almighty" offers one man's answer to this question, and does it in such a way that only the most hardened Bible-thumpers could take offence. Them, and the sort of people who think going down to Westminster and throwing things at David Blaine is really clever (i.e. the deeply cynical amongst us).
Tom Shadyac's movie is well-served by its casting of Jim Carrey as a lightweight but ambitious TV reporter, Jennifer Aniston as his big-hearted girlfriend, and Morgan Freeman joining Alanis Morrissette, Sir Ralph Richardson, Charlton Heston, Gene Hackman (or rather, his voice) and George Burns - not to mention Eric Clapton - in the ranks of those who've played God; outside of "The Simpsons," the Almighty hasn't come across so winningly on screen since, well, ever.
The storyline is something of a superhero story in reverse; most people get incredible powers and use them to help others from the off, but here the protagonist puts himself first and has to be prodded into helping others. Although the movie's very definitely on the side of helping people, and portrays his actions as amusing without actually condoning them - e.g. turning a rival's evening news stint into something more embarrassing than Albert Brooks's "Broadcast News" debacle, increasing the size of his girlfriend's breasts, inspiring MacKenzie-off-"JAG" [as a work colleague] to wear outfits Paris Hilton would reject on grounds of skimpiness... okay, that last one was a lie - "Bruce Almighty" thankfully never turns into an extended sermon. "Touched By An Angel"/Michael Landon fans need not apply, in other words.
The movie's finale is a bit predictable, but overall it's a pleasant little parable, designed to send you out of the cinema (or in my case out of the plane) with a smile on your face and a bit more hope in your heart. And infinitely less painful than some other Carrey movies.
"Cue the cheesy inspirational music...!"