Bruce Almighty (2003)
- Before Jim Carrey was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
- Many of the practical effects used in the climax were achieved without any CGI.
- Tom Shadyac originally wanted a completely different ending for the film, but test audiences preferred the one we see today.
Bruce Almighty is a 2003 American fantasy comedy film directed by Tom Shadyac and starring Jim Carrey as Bruce Nolan, a frustrated Buffalo TV news reporter who constantly blames God for his problems. When God, played by Morgan Freeman in one of his most iconic roles, temporarily grants Bruce all of His divine powers to see if he can do a better job running the universe, Bruce predictably uses omnipotence for personal gain โ getting a promotion, improving his love life with girlfriend Grace played by Jennifer Aniston, and exacting petty revenge on rivals โ before discovering that answering everyone's prayers simultaneously causes chaos and that the responsibilities of godhood are far greater than the perks. Jim Carrey was at the peak of his commercial drawing power, and the film showcased his physical comedy talents in sequences where he parts a bowl of soup like the Red Sea, lassoes the moon closer for a romantic evening, and trains his dog to use the toilet.
Morgan Freeman's calm, wise, slightly amused portrayal of God became so culturally embedded that the actor has been associated with the deity ever since. The film's surprisingly sincere message โ that true fulfillment comes from selflessly loving others rather than from power or recognition โ gave it an emotional center that elevated it above a typical high-concept comedy. Bruce Almighty earned $484 million worldwide on a $81 million budget, making it the second highest-grossing Jim Carrey film after The Mask.
