Bruce Almighty (2003) is a comedy movie directed by Tom Shadyac and written by Steve Koren, Mark O'Keefe and Steve Oedekerk.

Plot

The protagonist, Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) is a TV news reporter who fails to get a job as an anchorman and, after a series of other bad luck incidents, complains to God that he is treating him unfairly and is doing a poor job as supreme deity. Carrey is then contacted by God (Morgan Freeman) and endowed with almighty powers to prove that he can do a better job. Bruce quickly abuses his newfound powers for personal gain, only to be reminded that he also has to take care of other people's problems. Meanwhile, Bruce endangers his relationship with girlfriend Grace Connelly (Jennifer Aniston) through his self_centered behavior.

Tagline: He's got the power.

Controversy

The film carefully avoids religious controversy as God seems to be of no particular denomination and few theological questions are discussed. Issues such as omnipotence and omniscience are not explored in any detail as most of the film is set in the area of Buffalo, New York.

Telephone numbers

The film caused controversy because God contacts Bruce using an actual phone number rather than a number in the standard fictional 555 telephone switch. Several people and groups sharing this number have received hundreds of phone calls from people wanting to talk to God. The producers note that the number chosen was not in use in the area the film is set in but did not check anywhere else.

Cast and Crew

Cast

• Jim Carrey as Bruce Nolan
• Morgan Freeman as God
• Jennifer Aniston as Grace Connelly
• Lisa Ann Walter as Debbie
• Philip Baker Hall as Jack Baylor
• Steve Carell as Evan Baxter
• Catherine Bell as Susan Ortega
• Sally Kirkland as Anita Mann
• Nora Dunn as Ally Loman

Crew

• Director: Tom Shadyac
• Writer: Steve Koren
• Writer: Mark O'Keefe
• Writer: Steve Oedekerk

Quotes

• Jack: "You don't want to like Evan. Evan's an asshole."
• Bruce: "Fine! The gloves are off pal! Smite me, O mighty smiter! You're the one who should be fired! The only one around here not doing his job is you!"
• Bruce: "God is a mean kid over an anthill with a magnifying glass, and I'm the ant. He could fix my life in five minutes if he wanted to, but he'd rather burn off my feelers and watch me squirm!"
• God: "In a way, I'm here to offer you a job."
  Bruce: "Job? What job?"
  God: "My job. When you leave this building, you will be endowed with all of my powers."
  Bruce: "Whatever you say, pal."
• Bruce: Wait, God doesn't take vacations! Does he? Do... ye?
  God: Ever heard of the Dark Ages? Besides, I'm covered. You can fix up everything in five minutes if you wanted to. Right? Ciao.
• Evan: "The White House Reception Committee greeted the Prime rib roast Minister, and I do the cha-cha like a sissy girl. I 'lika' do da cha-cha."

External links

• Bruce Almighty (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0315327/) at the Internet Movie Database