Director:
     Tom Shadyac

Writers:
     Steve Koren,
     Mark O’Keefe,
     Steve Oedekerk

Starring:
     Jim Carrey,
     Morgan Freeman,
     Jennifer Anniston

I was with a group of friends last year when I first saw the trailer for Bruce Almighty. It depicted Jim Carrey as Bruce Nolan, a down-on-his-luck news reporter who, when he rails against God for dropping the ball, is "handed the reigns" and instructed to see if he can do a better job running the world (or part of it, anyway). He then proceeded to use his powers to do some naughty things.

We commented, almost in unison, on the obvious blasphemy. I found the basic premise interesting, but since it appeared to mock one of the defining attributes of God, his omnipotence, I expected it to make me very angry.

A few months later, I saw the trailer again, but this time, a question occurred to me. Had God been doing these things, of course, this would be blasphemous. But is it blasphemous to show a sinful man making bad decisions? After all, we remember how hotheaded Peter wanted to use his power to call down fire from heaven on the Samaritan village (Luke 9:54-56), and was strongly rebuked by Jesus.

At this point, I realized that the film could go in one of two directions. I hoped that it would take a Judeo-Christian worldview, showing that mankind has major problems, no matter how much power is given to them. But I feared it might take a humanist approach, and portray power as the only thing we need.

As I researched the film further, I discovered that the director, Tom Shadyac (Liar Liar, The Nutty Professor, Dragonfly) was a professing Christian. At this point, my interest was piqued. I hoped for the best, but I was prepared for anything.

The film begins with Bruce, a "wacky" television reporter with a knack for making people laugh, working his standard assignment; a syrupy sweet human-interest story. But for someone who claims Walter Kronkite as his hero, covering the baking of Buffalo, New York’s largest cookie is somewhat less than rewarding.

He complains to his girlfriend, Grace (Jennifer Anniston, Friends, The Good Girl), about what he sees as his mediocre life, and blames every one of his problems on God, whom he compares to a kid sitting by an anthill with a magnifying glass, tormenting him.

The level of his self absorption is truly revealed in one of my favorite shots in the film. As Bruce sits, late for work, in a monstrous traffic jam, he beats the steering wheel and yells out, "This is my luck!" just as paramedics wheel a man in a full neck and back brace past Bruce’s window.

Of course, Bruce’s day goes downhill from there, the worst moment occurring when he finds out, while waiting to go on the air, that the promotion he wanted went to his workplace nemesis, Evan Baxter (hilariously played by Steven Carell, The Daily Show). He loses it and says the f-word while still on the air, which results in his getting fired.

This, along with a number of other events, causes Bruce to scream out at God. "You’re the one who should be fired," he says, and challenges Him, "Smite me, O mighty smiter!"

God (Morgan Freeman, Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption) responds, but rather than smiting Bruce, he summons him to a sparse industrial loft where he offers Bruce a job. God will temporarily give him all of his power, since Bruce seems to think that he can do a better job. There are two rules, though. Bruce can’t tell anyone that he’s god, and he can’t "mess with free will."

(COURTESY UNIVERSAL PICTURES)

However, Bruce is only given the power of God, and not the wisdom. He proceeds to make a huge mess of things, resulting in everything from natural disasters to financial calamities. And when Grace becomes fed up with his immaturity and leaves, a broken Bruce says to God, "How do you make someone love you without affecting free will?" God replies, "Welcome to my world. When you figure that one out, let me know."

(COURTESY UNIVERSAL PICTURES)

Bruce undergoes a dramatic change throughout the course of this film. The "sinful" choices he makes in the beginning (upon which the trailer focuses), are presented as negative, and the fact that there are consequences for these actions is made clear.

While he never prays the "sinner’s prayer," he definitely has what I would call a "conversion experience." He literally falls on his knees before God and cries out, "I surrender to your will!"

Some complain that this film doesn’t clearly present the Gospel of Jesus, and that’s true, it doesn’t. But it does focus on man’s weakness in contrast with God’s wisdom and love. In fact, Bruce ultimately realizes that true love for someone else comes only through seeing him or her through God’s eyes.

Bruce Almighty has a rating of PG-13, which it deserves. There is some swearing, including one use of the f-word, but such language is presented primarily in a negative light. (There is even a reference to the old Sunday school joke; "It’s only ok to say ‘ass’ if you’re talking about a donkey.")

Sexuality includes a scene in which Bruce (somewhat gratuitously) uses his powers to get Grace "turned on," as well as later increasing her bust size. (We don’t see this part occur.) He also uses his powers to blow up a girl’s skirt briefly as she passes by.

Crude humor includes the one moment in the film reminiscent of Ace Ventura, when Bruce causes a monkey to come out of a gangbanger’s backside. (We don’t actually see this happen.)

While the trailer presents the film as a comedy that makes light of God, the film itself does just the opposite. God, as presented in this film, is loving, wise, graceful, and yes, holy. He has a sense of humor, but never laughs at a joke that is not above reproach.

Bruce Almighty does contain some elements that are not appropriate for younger viewers, but the ultimate message of the film is one that we as Christians can get behind. God is infinitely wiser and more loving than we are (Isa. 55:9), but he still expects us to do what we can to care for each other (John 13:35). God is always there when we need him (Jer. 33:3), but we shouldn’t expect him to use miracles to solve all of our earthly problems (James 1:3).

As Christians, we know that the ultimate solution to the real problems of life come through the finished work of Christ on the cross. Bruce Almighty doesn’t communicate that truth, but it doesn’t deny it, either. (After all, does It’s a Wonderful Life or The Sound of Music communicate the Gospel of Christ?)

Bruce Almighty is simply intended to plant a seed. It’s up to God to bring the increase.

CONTENT: Pagan worldview with a moral message and elements portraying a few of God’s characteristics as well as elements confusing the nature of God, and elements portraying many of man’s sinful, ignorant, humorous ways, as well as many positive and negative religious references and symbolic biblical portrayals such as golden calf, parting of the Red Sea, references to biblical passages, etc.; relatively strong language with about 18 obscenities, one or two strong profanities, about 10 light profanities, bathroom humor, and several obscene gestures; violence includes portrayal of (Clint Eastwood’s) gun, revenge on a bad gang by having a monkey coming from the ringleader’s rear (though not shown); implied fornication and comic hero uses supernatural powers to arouse his live-in girlfriend; back side of photo portrays subtle outline of naked woman; alcohol use; one portrayal of van filled with marijuana; and, sacrilegious railing at God, rude violation of the laws of physics suggesting, misuse of the Hebrew name for God, and immoral acceptance of co-habitation before marriage.

Suppose that for a moment that God is not omnipresent, but an anthropomorphic deity who looked down from heaven and saw that many of His beloved created ones were not attending church, but rather getting their inspiration from the movies. Suppose that this deity decided to use the silver screen to relay some important aspects of his character. How might he choose to do it? Through a comedy with big-name worldly actors? Might he possibly choose to use a movie with some of the rough elements to which the world can relate? The movie BRUCE ALMIGHTY appears to have such a perspective.

Starring Jim Carrey, Jennifer Anniston and Morgan Freeman, BRUCE ALMIGHTY is the story of a young man, Bruce, who is frustrated with life and angry with God for not fixing things. He is living with his girlfriend, Grace (Jennifer Anniston), and working as a second-rate anchorman for a television network. He covers the local events that no one else wants while he watches his co-worker continue to get promoted. Though TV audiences love him and look forward to the zany humor he puts into every story, Bruce lives his life in constant frustration. He not only hates his job and rival co-worker, he hates the traffic, his car and the silly little projects his girlfriend wants him to do, like scrapbooks.

Bruce curses and fumes that he just has no luck and no good breaks in life. He tells Grace that God is ignoring him, that God is like a mean kid holding a magnifying glass over an ant, burning off his tentacles and laughing. "And, I’m not OK with it!" Bruce rails. "I’m not OK with this mediocre life! God could fix my life, but he doesn’t!"

One day Grace gives Bruce some prayer beads, which he hangs on his rearview mirror. After a particularly frustrating day at work, when he gets passed over for another promotion, Bruce picks up the beads and cries out to God. "OK, God," he pleads, "I need a miracle. Show me a sign! I’m desperate, Lord. Reach down into my life and…" CRASH! After swerving to avoid a truck laden with every type of sign imaginable, Bruce crashes his car into a wall. He’s not really hurt, but he jumps out of the car to rail at God some more. He hurls the prayer beads into the water and screams, "OK, then. Smite me, you Mighty Smiter! You’re not doing your job!"

Terrified at first, Bruce quickly becomes delighted. He proceeds to perform such miracles as the parting of his tomato soup, the rustling up of a mighty wind that causes a woman’s dress to blow up high, the terrifying of a street gang that’s been harassing an old man (he causes a monkey to come out of the ringleader’s rear end, but this is not explicitly shown), the increasing of his girlfriend’s breast size, using his supernatural powers to make her strongly sexually aroused, the public humiliation of his co-worker who got the promotion, and the finding of the body of mobster Jimmy Hoffa, followed by great public acclaim for the finder—Bruce himself! Bruce is even dubbed "Mr. Exclusive," and the TV station erects a billboard in his honor.

Yes, all is going well for Bruce Almighty. It’s a life of non-stop power and pleasure feeding his narcissism; he starts hearing something in his head. What could those confusing noises be? When Bruce is able to calm his mind, he hears, "Now I lay me down to sleep…" "Dear Lord God, my son’s in trouble…" "Father, I need you…" It’s prayers! Hundreds of thousands of prayers from people all over his town! What does one do with these? Bruce tries creating a computerized system to answer all the prayers, but it’s impossible. They just keep coming, faster and faster! Bruce decides to give everyone what he or she wants. Thousands win the lottery, but this soon leads to a revolt because each winner gets only $17.

Needing a break, Bruce attends a wild party in his honor. A terrible misunderstanding leads to Grace breaking up with Bruce. The two go off alone. Later, a song plays the lyrics, "There’s a God-shaped hole in all of us." Devastated, Bruce makes one last appeal to God. "Lord, I surrender to your will," he cries with outstretched arms. Can Bruce make some powerful decisions in order to right the cosmic wrongs he’s created or is it too late?

A few moviegoers will find BRUCE ALMIGHTY to be a fun movie that demonstrates aspects of the nature of a theistic deity. God is shown to have humor (He even says "Alrighty then!"—a humorous nod to one of Carey’s other films), grace, power, and a clever ability to create perfect scenarios for his beloved, but ignorant creation to acquire character through relationship. The movie has awesome songs throughout it, including, "Are you ready for a miracle?" It accurately portrays that all believers must surrender to God, and it extols creationism. ("If you think this day was good, imagine what I can do in seven!")

The movie shows these powerful truths, however, through a very unscrubbed framework. There are roughly 18 mild obscenities, 11 profanities (including one or two taking Jesus’ name in vain), a handful of body humor references, several rude, obscene hand gestures, the backside of a photo of a naked woman, and many, many instances of railing at God, almost to a sacrilegious degree.

There are many points of theology, many of which reflect the perspectives of other non-Christian and pagan religions and do not cohere with Christianity or the Bible, as well as points which are merely heretical. The deity in the movie has few of God’s attributes and none of his awesome sovereign nature, for as the Bible says, "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:31 (NIV))

The deity in the movie says that he is going on vacation which he clearly does not do since he is monitoring Bruce the whole time and could not do if he was the God of the Bible who is omnipresent as well as omnipotent and omniscient. Furthermore, the deity in the movie plays a joke on Bruce, and Bruce as god resembles the god of mischief who possessed him in the movie THE MASK more than the God of the Bible. In fact, he takes revenge on several people in vile ways when he has the powers of god, and his mean-spirited vengeance is never fully rebuked in the movie, although he does change his attitude because he wants Grace to love him.

Compounding the theological problems, toward the end of the movie, the deity calls humans to make their own miracles and chastises people for looking up to him and not "becoming the miracle" themselves, in contrast to the Bible call to us to always look up to our redeemer and savior.

Another point of dubious theology is the idea that God can give His powers to humans and the notion of "free will" in the movie goes beyond the Pelegian and Arminian heresies to directly conflict with the sovereignty of God. Of course, human beings derive talents, gifts and fruit from God, such as the gift of love, or the gift, sometimes, of wisdom, and we are created in the image of God, although we all bear the broken chromosome of Adam’s sin and all of us have fallen short of the glory of God.

Finally, the Biblical God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and the Creator of a world of order. In the movie, Bruce rudely moves the Moon and the stars and other astronomical bodies with minor consequences, thus violating the laws of physics.

Bruce repents and is saved apart from any acceptance of Jesus Christ (whose name he uses for a curse word several times). If this is possible, then Jesus Christ did not need to die on the cross for our sins and his death would, as Paul notes, mock the very idea of a good God.

In fact, God has come in the flesh—Jesus Christ—who is fully God and fully man. Therefore, God incarnate looks like who he is, Jesus Christ, with the marks of the crucifixion in his hands, feet and side. Jesus dismissed those who asked for the BRUCE ALMIGHTY type miracle, saying that they had already rejected the many signs that God had sent them.

Still, the movie makes its main point that God’s ways are higher than our ways. In that sense, BRUCE ALMIGHTY might remind many people of a modern watered down re-telling of the Book of Job in the Bible.

Because of the movie’s objectionable content, however, BRUCE ALMIGHTY is not a movie for Christians. Instead, it’s a movie for a select few of the lost and frustrated masses who are desperately searching to know the love of the One True God. By the true God’s sovereign grace, those in such a state may find something BRUCE ALMIGHTY to set them on a better, more spiritually correct path. Thus, perhaps, BRUCE ALMIGHTY will serve as one more gritty but divine lantern directing audiences to search out the true Almighty, and His Son, Jesus Christ—if there is someone there to witness to them!

© baehr, 2003

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