Post by ryan on May 31, 2003 19:50:29 GMT -5
Yet another recent film I saw, here's what I thought:
Bruce Almighty is a wacky, sentimental screwball comedy of the kind we haven't seen in a while. It's great, great entertainment.
Bruce Almighty involves an idea I'm sure we've all thought about at one time or another: what would we do if we were God? That said, the film plays the concept out very, very well. It examines the hilarities and consequences of being the Supreme Being, from getting revenge on your coworkers to more personal problems. People have complained about the sentimentality of the film. But, by golly, it worked for me. This is what a lot of 1930s-1940s comedies of the same ilk were like, they were funny and poignant all the same time. And the movie is about being God, you can't expect it to be chock-full of laughs.
The performances were spot-on here. Comic genius Jim Carrey is back to his usual self as the screwed-over Everyman, but thanks to his recent dramatic performances he's able to add a new level of maturity to the part, and it all works perfectly. Morgan Freeman plays God to the hilt and there wasn't a second in this film that he wasn't spot-on perfect. He reminds me of Jeff Bridges' President Evans in The Contender here, as someone who is light and comic, but always the smartest and wisest person in the room. Jennifer Aniston is very good here, especially near the end. Steve Carell was a scream as Bruce's jackass rival Evan Baxter. The scene in which Bruce makes him say and do stupid things live on the air was the funniest moment in any comedy in quite a long time. I love Catherine Bell, she was a little underused here but great and sexy in her scenes nonetheless.
The visual effects were good, the writing funny but sentimental, well-balanced and smart. The direction was confident (and I usually dislike Tom Shadyac greatly; he's made some stinkers).
So, this movie was a welcome return to old-style comedy, funny but also very examining of our actions and consequences. It's not perfect, of course, but great fun. Cherish this movie, rarely do they come out like this one.
8/10
Bruce Almighty is a wacky, sentimental screwball comedy of the kind we haven't seen in a while. It's great, great entertainment.
Bruce Almighty involves an idea I'm sure we've all thought about at one time or another: what would we do if we were God? That said, the film plays the concept out very, very well. It examines the hilarities and consequences of being the Supreme Being, from getting revenge on your coworkers to more personal problems. People have complained about the sentimentality of the film. But, by golly, it worked for me. This is what a lot of 1930s-1940s comedies of the same ilk were like, they were funny and poignant all the same time. And the movie is about being God, you can't expect it to be chock-full of laughs.
The performances were spot-on here. Comic genius Jim Carrey is back to his usual self as the screwed-over Everyman, but thanks to his recent dramatic performances he's able to add a new level of maturity to the part, and it all works perfectly. Morgan Freeman plays God to the hilt and there wasn't a second in this film that he wasn't spot-on perfect. He reminds me of Jeff Bridges' President Evans in The Contender here, as someone who is light and comic, but always the smartest and wisest person in the room. Jennifer Aniston is very good here, especially near the end. Steve Carell was a scream as Bruce's jackass rival Evan Baxter. The scene in which Bruce makes him say and do stupid things live on the air was the funniest moment in any comedy in quite a long time. I love Catherine Bell, she was a little underused here but great and sexy in her scenes nonetheless.
The visual effects were good, the writing funny but sentimental, well-balanced and smart. The direction was confident (and I usually dislike Tom Shadyac greatly; he's made some stinkers).
So, this movie was a welcome return to old-style comedy, funny but also very examining of our actions and consequences. It's not perfect, of course, but great fun. Cherish this movie, rarely do they come out like this one.
8/10