Bruce Almighty

Jim Carrey stars as Bruce Nolan, a Buffalo television news reporter whose life unravels after a series of humiliations. When he blames God for his misfortunes, the Almighty, played by Morgan Freeman, appears and challenges Bruce to take over divine duties for a week. The film was directed by Tom Shadyac, reuniting with Carrey after Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Liar Liar. Shot on location in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, the production carried an $80 million budget and grossed over $484 million worldwide, becoming one of the highest-grossing comedies of the 2000s.

Steve Carell, in an early film role, plays Bruce's smug rival Evan Baxter; his puppet-controlled live broadcast became the film's most replayed scene. The supporting cast includes Jennifer Aniston as Bruce's patient girlfriend Grace, Philip Baker Hall as the station manager, and Catherine Bell as a tempting co-anchor. John Debney composed the score, blending whimsical orchestral themes with pop songs like Mick Jagger and Lenny Kravitz's God Gave Me Everything.

The film earned a PG-13 rating for sexual content and language, allowing it to explore spiritual questions while keeping a comedic tone. Critics were divided, the Rotten Tomatoes consensus sits at 48%, but audiences responded strongly, pushing it to a $86.4 million opening weekend, a record for Memorial Day at the time. It launched the Almighty Collection, which includes the 2007 sequel Evan Almighty. [edit]

Bruce Nolan works as a feature reporter for Channel 7 Eyewitness News in Buffalo, covering lightweight stories like the world's largest cookie. He lives with his girlfriend Grace Connelly, who runs a daycare center and adores him despite his constant complaining. Bruce wants the vacant anchor position, but his boss Jack Baylor gives the job to Evan Baxter, a smug rival who mocks Bruce's assignments. When a live report at Niagara Falls goes wrong, Bruce verbally abuses an elderly woman and the tour operator, he gets fired. Later, he tries to help a homeless man but gets beaten up by a street gang, his car is vandalized, and his dog Sam pees on the furniture.

Bruce erupts in anger, shouting at God that the Almighty is incompetent. A janitor at an abandoned warehouse, Omni Presents, Inc., appears and reveals himself as God. He offers Bruce a week-long trial of divine power, with two rules: Bruce cannot tell anyone about the arrangement, and he cannot interfere with free will. The powers are limited to the Buffalo area. Bruce accepts and immediately uses his abilities for petty gains: he parts traffic, conjures a sports car, teaches Sam to use the toilet, and increases Grace's bust size. He humiliates Evan by controlling his body during a live broadcast, making him spout gibberish. Bruce gets his job back and is promoted to anchor.

The responsibilities of omnipotence soon overwhelm him. Bruce begins hearing thousands of prayers from Buffalo residents. He answers them all with a simple yes, causing chaos: lottery winners multiply endlessly, leading to riots, and society descends into disorder. Grace grows distant, sensing Bruce's selfishness. He tries to force her love through manipulation, but because he cannot override her free will, she decides to leave him. In desperation, Bruce asks God how to make someone love him without affecting free will. God replies, Welcome to my world, son. If you come up with an answer to that one, let me know.[edit]