Movie Review

Bruce Almighty

Now having established himself as an actor (in both comedy and drama), Jim Carrey can sit back and slip into a familiar role and be able to satisfy an audience.

Any filmgoer, regardless of age, knows who he is and many of his films do well. But with hype comes speculation. Here, his latest comedy "Bruce Almighty," isn't as fulfilling because of that familiarity. However, what this film was intended to do -- make its audience laugh -- is effective, but honestly there isn't much else to complement besides a good cast. Clich?, stereotypical approaches on its characters and story dampen the film as a whole, making it a fun but incredibly trite experience.
After a commercially under-whelming turn to dramatic roles, Carrey has returned to playing the type of square loser character that made him famous in various films like "Ace Ventura" and "Liar, Liar." We've grown to love him for his wacky persona on screen, transpired to us through his unique comedic abandon in which he can go nearly insane on screen, and we, the audience, love it. With the exception of "The Truman Show," (the best film of his career) his biggest hits have been fueled by this predictable function of his. We know from the start of his latest film that his character -- a frustrated, on-edge TV reporter -- will eventually snap and cause us to release the laughter we so badly want to get out.

Jim Carrey is the type of actor and comedian whose audience wants to laugh with (not cry; as in his Frank Capra-inspired "The Majestic"), and he thrives upon that energy here opposed to building upon it. Somewhat disappointingly, Carrey doesn't introduce anything new to us about him as an actor in "Bruce Almighty." The same mannerisms in character, as I mentioned, are present without much outside of the box; perhaps he's playing it safe in this commercially lucrative comedy, but it seems to me as though he's cheating himself as well as the audience out of a more amusing time.

The supporting players in "Almighty," which includes Jennifer Aniston and Morgan Freeman, thankfully add to the film's isolated qualities even if they are intentionally left to support the star of the show. Aniston, whose Friends fame has gotten her into the movie industry, has become a noteworthy actress. Smaller performances add to more and more as time progresses, and she is a prime example of that. Here, she may be little more than Bruce's girlfriend in terms of plot but some of the best moments are with her on screen.

As for Freeman, who plays God in the comedy, he is surprisingly lighthearted in "Bruce Almighty," acting as a mentor to Carrey's character. Best known for his dramatic roles, Freeman steps out of the usual (unlike Carrey) and is refreshingly vibrant on screen; mediocre writing may limit his scenes, but nevertheless he's proficient.

Although a good bit of talent is involved with the production of "Bruce Almighty" (including the director of "Liar, Liar," Tom Shadyac) ultimately the writing (and occasional technical glitches) is the downfall of what could have been an above-average comedy. There are two halves to this movie (simply put ? one good, one not so good); the first half of the film is really funny and well paced whereas the latter half is completely the opposite: preachy and uneven.

Soon, with jokes aside, themes and values are being shoved down our throats, both of which are underdeveloped. It was one of those inevitable happy endings, which no matter how hard critics like myself try and pan, will never cease to exist. "Almighty" ends with something that I, as a critic, wanted to shake sense into. For being such a fun movie beforehand and ruined by such ridiculous sub-plots as infidelity and false death is disappointing.

Perhaps what I dislike most about "Bruce Almighty" is the fact that there are great, unbaked ideas that could have been added to this light and sweet confection. One of our generation's greatest comedic talents is good in this film, but I beg to wonder: will this man ever step out-of-bands with comedy or we forever confined to his signature style?

Some of his finest work was in dramas, but to keep audiences happy he's realized comedy is where he needs to be. However, if he plans on continuing his career on its originating path, his latest film may be the first of many to reiterate the same things time and time again. That choice is now invested in him.

Stephen's Grade: B-

A	8.7%
B	43.5%
C	47.8%
D	0.0%
F	0.0%