Bruce Almighty

by    19th August 2003    0 responses

brucealmighty

This summer’s Jim Carrey blockbuster is rather different from previous Carrey films. Carrey plays a reporter on the local TV news show, whose career seems to have hit a ceiling. After he is passed over for promotion yet again, then attacked, then had his car smashed up, he gets, understandably, rather angry. As life continues to go badly for Bruce, he complains to God, and states that he could do a better job. God, played by Morgan Freeman, decides to allow Bruce to have a stab at being God; it is, after all, time for his vacation. The main part of the film follows Bruce as he struggles to use his new powers.

Although I was rather uncomfortable watching a film in which God was portrayed by an actor, I was able to take a great deal from it. The film challenged my faith in a number of ways.

Firstly, and most significantly, I was challenged greatly by God’s response to how Bruce used the gifts he gave him. In Bruce’s case, God endowed him with all of his powers. Bruce initially chose to ignore the needs of others, and “worked to correct a few wrongs” in his own life. Through his own selfish actions, havoc was unleashed on an unsuspecting world. God pointed out Bruce’s selfishness to him. He told him that humans have great expectations of God, yet we ourselves have the power to change the world – if only we transformed our inward focus on ourselves into an outward focus on the world. I may not have been endowed with all of God’s powers, but I have been given certain talents which I should use less selfishly. Do I use my talents – and my time and money – to work for myself, or for God and the benefit of others? Perhaps if we all used what we had a little more selflessly, the world would be a better place. It would certainly be more Godly.

Secondly, I was struck by a scene in which God suggests Bruce should try praying more, rather than just blaming God for everything that is wrong in his life. God suggests that Bruce has a go, and Bruce prays that the world’s starving would be fed, and that men would live at peace with one another. God responds by telling Bruce that this is a good prayer for Miss America, but is this really what is on his heart? Bruce has recently been dumped by his long-term girlfriend, Grace, and so prays for her. He prays that Grace will be happy, that she will find someone to love her, and that that somebody will always feel the same way about her as he feels at the moment. I found this a particularly poignant scene for two reasons. Firstly, it suggested a way of praying that will enable a believer to foster a stronger relationship with God. It is certainly good to pray for the end of war and famine, but is this really what troubles us day and night? God wants us to tell him what is troubling us. Only by opening our hearts to him can we do this. Secondly, this scene had poignancy because it emphasised the film’s message concerning free will.

The question of freewill first raises its head towards the beginning of the film. When God gives Bruce his powers, he explains that there are two rules – he must not tell anyone what has happened (“believe me, you wouldn’t want the responsibility!” God tells Bruce), and he can’t interfere with freewill (“can I ask why?” he asks God. “That’s the beauty of it – you can!” responds God). This becomes an issue for Bruce when his girlfriend leaves him. Bruce is clearly besotted with Grace, yet he is so wrapped up in himself that he fails to consider Grace’s feelings. In one particularly painful episode, Bruce sends Grace to a health farm, books a table at the most romantic restaurant in town, and even hires Tony Bennett for the night. Grace is convinced that Bruce is going to propose to her, but his only plan is to tell her he has got his promotion at long last. She is happy for him, but unimpressed with his selfishness. As the dispute worsened, Bruce went to visit Grace at work, and tried to use his new-found powers to make her fall in love with him. It doesn’t work. “How can I make her fall in love with me without messing up freewill?” Bruce ponders. We are often quick to think of our own freewill, and guard it fiercely, but how often do we think of other people’s? How often do we stop to think about the impact of our behaviour and attitude on the people around us?

Despite feeling uncomfortable about God being played on screen by an actor, I did enjoy this film. There were many times when I felt uncomfortable, when I could see my own selfish tendencies in Bruce. Morgan Freeman played God as a warm, loving being who took great pride in every aspect of his creation. There were also lots of funny moments in the film – especially when Bruce’s arch-rival Evan makes his debut as newscaster.

Would I recommend this film to you? Yes, I think I probably would. It is a funny yet thoughtful film, which challenged me greatly. Why not go and see it with friends, both Christian and non-Christian, and discuss some of the issues it raises together? It is certainly a film which is well suited as a starter for discussion!

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Simon is a teacher, writer and preacher based in Kent in the United Kingdom. Simon enjoys sailing, and is a keen geocacher. Simon is married to Claire.

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