Back Shelf Beauties
by Willie Waffle
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Bruce
Almighty
It's the return of Jim Carrey, but is it the Jim Carrey who makes serious
films, or the Jim Carrey who talked out of his butt in
Ace Ventura? While
Bruce Almighty is being sold as a return
to slapstick, silly comedy for Carrey, it's more mature and serious than
that. Carrey, director Tom Shayac and writers Steve Koren, Mark O'Keefe,
and Steve Oedekerk have created a tribute to Frank Capra that mixes humor,
schmaltz and faith in a potent combination that will evoke many different
emotional reactions.
Carrey plays Bruce Nolan - a Buffalo TV reporter who desperately wants to
be his station's next news anchor, but he's stuck doing silly, human-interest
stories. Finally, Bruce just can't take it anymore and unleashes his fury
at God. He can't understand why a good person like him doesn't get his share
of the American Dream and the success that he has been struggling to achieve.
It doesn't seem fair, and Bruce thinks it is a neglectful God's fault. God
(Morgan Freeman) decides to give Bruce a chance to show him how the job should
be done, and grants the power of God, and the responsibilities, to the TV
star.
Can Bruce handle it? What are the ramifications?
After starting as a silly, humorous film, Bruce
Almighty dares to become a serious examination of faith, love,
family and a whole bunch of heavy subjects that might scare off most filmmakers
and ticket buyers. It's one of the few movies in recent history to take on
religious subjects, but does so in a way that won't scare anyone off. Koren,
O'Keefe and Oedekerk avoid a Sunday school lesson, but still raise questions
that have probably occurred to most people. It's deftly handled in a non-preachy
way that slowly evolves rather than smacking you across the face. Much like
the classic Capra films like It's A Wonderful Life
(heavily referenced in Bruce
Almighty), it ropes us in at the beginning with quick-witted,
snappy dialogue and takes us on the same road to possible redemption that
the main character travels along.
Ultimately, Bruce Almighty is a film
you will like because of Jim Carrey. He is today's Everyman, and someone
that audiences can relate to. Carrey brings back the rubber faced comedic
abilities that first made him famous, but also has the ability to draw upon
his dramatic skills as the movie gets more serious. At just over the age
of 40, he can't do Ace Ventura anymore, because that would be pitiful and
embarrassing. Carrey shows us his mature side, without disappointing fans.
Freeman and Jennifer Aniston, as Bruce's girlfriend Grace, also put in strong
performances that help add depth to the movie. Freeman is the coolest God
since George Burns and proves he is one of the few actors who can project
gravitas while also being liked. Aniston stands up well against Carrey and
also gets a chance to show some dramatic skills. They make a nice team.
Bruce Almighty is a solid film that lags
in the middle, but works out well in the end. Grade:
B+
Copyright 2003 - WaffleMovies.com
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