Hello everyone! 🙂

Welcome to ‘Bradley’s Basement’ blog and I’m Tim Bradley!

Usually, every year, I do a review on a Jim Carrey movie. So, I thought, why break tradition? And with the recent news that Jim Carrey is returning to play the Grinch in an upcoming film, it’s time to share my thoughts on one of his very well-known films – ‘Bruce Almighty’.

‘Bruce Almighty’ was released in 2003. I saw the film on DVD when it came out at Christmas time in the year. Lately, I revisited the film on Disney+. I’m amazed it’s on Disney+, since the movie was released by Spyglass International and Universal Pictures.

The film has Jim Carrey playing Bruce Nolan, a down-on-his-luck TV news reporter who accuses God for not doing his job properly. Bruce ends up meeting God, played by Morgan Freeman, who offers him the opportunity to try and be God for one week. Hmm. 😐

This was a fascinating comedy film to watch. With me being a Christian, I found the film insightful and entertaining on how challenging it would be if one of us was given the power of God. 🙂 It certainly challenged my Christian faith, and it was done in a satisfying manner.

Jim Carrey is very entertaining as Bruce Nolan throughout the film. He’s an acquired taste in terms of comedy, as I’ve discovered over the years. But he remains one of my favourite comedy actors to check out when seeing his films. I cherish fond memories of him in this film.

Morgan Freeman is equally very good as God in the film. I’m pleased there was a balance of the serious and humorous aspects of what it’s like to be God and the interaction between Jim Carrey and Morgan Freeman is meaningful when life lessons get provided. 🙂

‘Bruce Almighty’ is directed by Tom Shadyac who previously directed Jim Carrey in films like ‘Ace Ventura: Pet Detective’ and ‘Liar Liar’. I could tell that it was the same director for this film considering the opening credits for ‘Liar Liar’ and ‘Bruce Almighty’ are similar.

As well as Jim Carrey and Morgan Freeman, the film also stars Jennifer Aniston as Grace Connelly, Bruce’s girlfriend. I did like love story that was going on between Bruce and Grace in the film, especially when his feelings for her get put to the test while he’s God. 🙂

There’s also Philip Baker Hall as Jack Baylor, Steve Carell as Evan Baxter – Bruce’s rival, Catherine Bell as Susan Ortega – Evan’s co-anchor, Lisa Ann Walter as Debbie Connelly – Grace’s sister, Nora Dunn as Ally Loman, Eddie Jemison as Bobby, Sally Kirkland as Anita Mann, and Lou Felder as Peter Fineman – an Eyewitness News veteran anchorman.

There’s Paul Satterfield as Dallas Coleman, Micah Stephen Williams as a boy on a bike, Tony Bennett as himself, Carlos Sánchez as Juan Valdez, John Murphy as himself, Madeline Lovejoy as Zoe, Noel Gugliemi as Hood and there’s Annie Wersching as a woman at party. Annie Wersching later played the Borg Queen in Season 2 of ‘Star Trek: Picard’.

Sadly, Annie Wersching passed away in 2023, which is a huge shame. 😦 On a happier note, it was great to see Max Grodénchik (Rom from ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’) in this movie, playing a control room operator. 🙂 I recognised him, having seen him in interviews.

It’s been nice to revisit ‘Bruce Almighty’ recently, especially after including a clip of the film in one of my ‘Doctor Who’ reaction videos. It’s a film that challenged my Christian faith and I found it entertaining at the same time. It’s certainly grown on me over the years.

I know a sequel called ‘Evan Almighty’ starring Steve Carrell came after this one in 2007 and I have seen that film. But it doesn’t match to what I’ve seen in ‘Bruce Almighty’ and Jim Carrey steals the show for me, and he continues to be entertaining as ever in his films.

Thanks for reading!

Bye for now!

Tim 🙂