Rhino's review of Bruce Almighty -- Rhinotainment

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Carrey plays Bruce Nolan, a television news reporter who desperately wants the spot of a retiring anchorman. The problem is, Bruce's personality is funny and somewhat overbearing. The only reports he gets are on quirky topics like "The World's Largest Chocolate Chip Cookie". Nothing hard hitting or reputation building. So the chances of his getting the anchor job are slim.

Bruce becomes obsessed with winning the anchor position, so much so that it takes his attention away from his girlfriend, Grace (the most beautiful celebrity on God's green earth, Jennifer Aniston). He becomes self-centered and moody. On top of the anchor position, Bruce struggles with everyday problems such as intense downtown traffic, his un-housebreakable dog, etc. He just generally has bad luck. Yeah, he's got Jennifer Aniston, but he's got bad luck. Sure.

He complains to his boss (Phillip Baker Hall) about not getting any good stories and that he wants the anchor position desperately, but feels that it will probably be given to smarmy newscaster Evan Baxter (the hilarious Steve Carrell, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart).

To appease Bruce, the boss sends him to do a live report from Niagra Falls for an annual event. While Bruce is ready to go live, it's announced over the air that Evan will be the successor to the retiring anchorman. When they finally go live to Bruce, he goes off the deep end on live television in a hilarious bit, announcing his disgust over the decision and subsequently loses his job.

After another unfortunate series of events, including getting beat up, breaking Grace's heart and wrecking his car, Bruce calls out the almighty himself, letting him know that he's not doing his job properly in a colorful verbal tirade.

Bruce's pager goes off shortly afterward, repeatedly, until he finally calls the number. The message tells him that there is a job waiting for him if he goes to the address given. Once he arrives, he meets God himself (Morgan Freeman, naturally. Who else?), in a big empty warehouse. God tells Bruce that since he thinks he could do a better job, then God's gonna give Bruce all his powers while he takes a vacation The only power he doesn't have is to mess with free will.

After struggling with the whole concept at first, Bruce becomes drunk with his new powers and begins to turn his life around in every possible way. He transforms his mangled car into a fancy sportscar, teaches the dog to use the toilet, makes Grace's breasts bigger, the whole bit. But Bruce soon finds out that the world doesn't revolve around him, much to his chagrin. He has to answer millions of prayers and help the world. This will create a very troublesome task for Bruce.

Things start to take a turn for the worse when Bruce's power becomes a hindrance, jeopardizing the incredible new life he has made for himself. He begins to realize that the sun doesn't rise and set in Bruce Nolan's ass and that the power of God is nothing to be manipulated. He also finds that the lack of power he has to change free will may cause him his relationship with Grace.

This was the best time I have had at the movies in a long time. I laughed out loud at so many scenes that I lost track. This film has some of the most original sight gags in recent memory. There is a scene with a monkey that I will never forget and that I will probably always howl at upon further viewing. Another scene involving Bruce manipulating Evan while he's anchoring a newscast had the audience gasping for air. This film was a blast! On top of all of that, it bears a poignant message.

Jim Carrey is hysterical and annoying in every one of his comedies. That's his bag. This one would be no different. For every comedical homerun that Carrey hits, he also has a few strikeouts, such as the new catchphrase of the week "B-E-A-U-tiful!" It would have been unfunny in Ace Ventura and it's unfunny here. But pettiness aside, Carrey is still on top of his game. Jennifer Aniston, in all her glory, stands out in this film, which is difficult when you are playing opposite Carrey. When she's on screen, you pay attention to her (for more reasons other than her being stunning) and you sympathize with her. She's a neglected woman who desperately loves her self centered man and she's running out of ways to let him know how she feels. Great part for her. And Morgan Freeman is God. End of story.

This film is a gut-buster of epic proportions. Carrey is the funniest man alive for a reason. In the film, God tells Bruce that he has "a divine spark" and that he's been put on this earth to make people laugh. Thus sayeth the Lord.

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