A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Bruce Almighty

Date Viewed: 6/15

Details:

Jim Carrey

Morgan Freeman

Jennifer Aniston

Catherine Bell

Tony Bennett

Director: Tom Shadyac

Score: -1/2

The Review: Jim Carrey is a self-absorbed, vindictive wuss in a 21st-century morality play.

Bruce Nolan (Carrey) is having a bad day -- actually, he is having a bad week! (or more) -- and is constantly complaining about it as if in an explicit diatribe to God, who, in his opinion, is clearly not listening. So in retaliation or pique (or as a sense of humor?) God (Freeman) gives Bruce the answer to his own complaints -- all the powers of God, more or less, to improve things. But of course that's not quite what happens.

Carrey is Carrey, and in this role holds absolutely no appeal; I suspect it is simply the material, which also holds no appeal. Freeman certainly enjoys himself, and is appealing in his understated role; he presents quite a contrast to the Old Testament God of revenge, fire and brimstone. And although only a minor role, Catherine Bell (from the TV series "JAG") has been transformed into this dark beauty, an alluring predator. Both she and Aniston are wasted in this flick.

Some parts are clever, some parts are not -- but the moralistic undertones are overbearing. It is not subtle (few things Carrey does would merit that adjective; this is not one of them), and is only marginally interesting. If you are looking for blatant un-subtlety, then did you notice the golden calf?

(10-Jul-03)

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