AGW Entertainment reporter Lynn B. saw a new comedy film...

BRUCE ALMIGHTY

Universal Pictures

There was that story circulating that, during the filming of Bruce Almighty, Jim Carrey saved Jennifer Aniston's life when a crane fell. We talked to both actors and found out it was a big scrim (huge background scenery piece) that fell and knocked over a big prop tree that was nowhere near Jennifer. Jim did run over to see if any extras were harmed however. That's how those larger-than-life stories get started. Of course, when you are playing God (or at least God of part of Buffalo, New York) things tend to get blown out of proportion.

In Bruce Almighty, t.v. news reporter Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) is sick of doing "fluff" pieces while a pompous rival gets all the good stories. Bruce is totally unhappy and constantly tells his loving girlfriend Grace (Jennifer Aniston) all his negative woes. She's tired of his selfish negativity and is happy running a daycare center while Bruce wants to be the new Walter Cronkite or at least a top field reporter on serious stories. Their relationship suffers.

When his rival is named the new anchorman, Bruce goes ballistic and has an on-air meltdown. He is fired and things get worse from there. He is beaten up by gang kids who vandalize his car. Bruce blames God and says the Almighty is doing a lousy job. Enter God (Morgan Freeman) who gives Bruce a chance to take over and see how he likes walking on water in God's shoes for a while. Now Bruce will have to find out what he is really made of. Will the Godly power make Bruce the biggest jerk in the universe or will he find his worth, humanity and repair a great relationship with a woman who loves him no matter what?

I really like this film. It's Jim Carrey playing that guy we like; an ordinary Joe who has to cope with extraordinary circumstances in an often funny manner. Some critics have called the film sacrilegious but I think it's just the opposite. Like most of us, Bruce blames God or the Universe or The Force for his bad luck instead of trying to work through it. He gets taught a lesson about how the universe works, where his true talents lie and learns to focus more on others and his relationship with his girl. What's not Godly about that?

Also, I laughed my head off at some of the scenes in this movie. When Bruce gets to be God for a while, and the anchorman who got his prized job goes on air, Bruce makes him talk gibberish that is some of the funniest made-up dialogue I've ever heard. When Bruce wants coffee, Juan Valdez and his donkey come by with it. When he wants a romantic evening, he yanks the full moon closer resulting in world-wide tidal waves that he didn't expect. To test his new power, he parts, not the Red Sea like Moses, but a bowl of tomato soup! There are tons of things like this but, if I tell more I'll ruin the surprises. Rest assured it's hilarious.

Sure, there are some sappy couple moments between Jennifer Aniston and Carrey but there were plenty of sappy guy/girl moments in It's a Wonderful Life and that's a classic. Jennifer and Jim are an odd but cute couple and she is very good at playing straight woman to wacky Carrey's antics. Morgan Freeman is a terrific, witty, funny and understanding God. Hey if we had to elect one, I'd vote for him. With what is going on in our world at present, a film that leaves us with a little hope in ourselves, our fellow man, and in a loving relationship that stands some bizarre tests and survives, all while making us laugh, is fine by me. Don't listen to nay-sayers. Go see this one.

Rated: PG-13

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