View source for Bruce Almighty

{{Short description|2003 film by Tom Shadyac}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Bruce Almighty
| image          = BruceAlmighty poster.jpg
| alt            = A man with the world hanging from his finger like a yoyo  <!-- [[WP:ALT]] -->
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Tom Shadyac]]
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* Tom Shadyac
* [[Jim Carrey]]<ref name="afi">{{AFI film|62651}}</ref>
* [[James D. Brubaker]]
* Michael Bostick
* Steve Koren
* Mark O'Keefe
}}
| screenplay     = {{Plainlist|
* [[Steve Koren]]
* [[Mark O'Keefe (screenwriter)|Mark O'Keefe]] 
* [[Steve Oedekerk]]
}}
| story          = {{Plainlist|
* Steve Koren
* Mark O'Keefe 
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* Jim Carrey
* [[Morgan Freeman]]
* [[Jennifer Aniston]]
* [[Philip Baker Hall]]
<!--per poster block. Please do not add Steve Carell whose name doesn't appear-->
}}
| music          = [[John Debney]]
| cinematography = [[Dean Semler]]
| editing        = Scott Hill
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Spyglass Entertainment]]
* [[Shady Acres Entertainment]]
* Pit Bull Productions<ref name=afi/>
}}
| distributor    = [[Universal Pictures]]
| released       = {{Film date|2003|5|14|[[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]]|2003|05|23|United States}}
| runtime        = 101 minutes<!-- Theatrical runtime: 101:04 --><ref>{{cite web|title=''BRUCE ALMIGHTY'' (12A)|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/AFF182526/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720065602/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/AFF182526/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 20, 2012|work=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|date=May 22, 2003|access-date=January 13, 2012}}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $81 million<ref name="mojo" />
| gross          = $484.6 million<ref name="mojo">{{Cite Box Office Mojo |id=0315327 |title=Bruce Almighty |access-date=March 27, 2023 |publisher_hide=yes}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
}}
'''''Bruce Almighty''''' is a 2003 American [[fantasy film|fantasy]] [[comedy film]] starring [[Jim Carrey]]. The film follows Bruce Nolan, a down-on-his-luck television reporter who complains to [[God]] (played by [[Morgan Freeman]]) that he is not doing his job correctly and is offered the chance to try being God himself for one week. The film was directed by [[Tom Shadyac]] and written by [[Steve Koren]], [[Mark O'Keefe (screenwriter)|Mark O'Keefe]] and [[Steve Oedekerk]]. [[Jennifer Aniston]], [[Steve Carell]], [[Philip Baker Hall]] and [[Catherine Bell (actress)|Catherine Bell]] also star. The film is Shadyac and Carrey's third collaboration, after ''[[Ace Ventura: Pet Detective]]'' (1994) and ''[[Liar Liar]]'' (1997).

When released in American theaters on May 23, 2003, ''Bruce Almighty'' received mixed reviews from critics but was a box-office success and grossed $86.4 million in its opening weekend, a [[Memorial Day]] record at the time.<ref>{{cite web |title=''Bruce'' Blesses Memorial Weekend with $85.73 Million |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=1246&p=.htm |access-date=May 31, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614071319/http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=1246&p=.htm |archive-date=2006-06-14 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film surprised the industry's pundits when it beat ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]'' the following weekend. It went on to gross $484 million worldwide, becoming the [[2003 in film|fifth-highest-grossing film of 2003]].

''[[Evan Almighty]] —'' a [[spin-off (media)|spin-off]] [[sequel]] focusing on [[Steve Carell]]'s character, with Shadyac and Oedekerk returning to direct and write, respectively, and Freeman also reprising his role — was released on June 22, 2007. In addition, three [[India]]n remakes of the film - ''[[Krishnarjuna]]'' ([[Telugu language|Telugu]]-speaking), ''[[Arai En 305-il Kadavul]]'' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]-speaking), and ''[[God Tussi Great Ho]]'' ([[Hindi]]-speaking) - were released in 2008.

==Plot==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films are 400 to 700 words only. -->
Bruce Nolan is a television field reporter for ''[[Eyewitness News]]'' on [[WKBW-TV]] in [[Buffalo, New York]], but desires to be an anchorman. When Bruce's rival, Evan Baxter, is given the job, a vulgar on-camera outburst leads to Bruce's dismissal. Bruce complains to [[God in Christianity|God]] that "he's the one that should be fired". He receives a pager message, leading him to a warehouse where he meets God in human form. God gives Bruce his powers, to test him. He cannot tell others he has them, nor can he use the powers against others' [[free will]]. Bruce is initially jubilant using the powers for personal gain, such as regaining his previous job and impressing his girlfriend, Grace Connelly.

Bruce uses his powers to cause miraculous events, such as discovering [[Jimmy Hoffa]]'s body during a segment on police training and causing a meteorite to harmlessly land near a cook-off, earning him the nickname "Mr. Exclusive". He makes the [[Buffalo Sabres]] win the [[Stanley Cup]]. Bruce causes Evan to get fired by embarrassing himself on-air, so that Bruce is appointed as the new anchor. Bruce hears voices in his head and God explains that the voices are prayers that Bruce must deal with. Bruce creates an email system to receive the prayers and respond, but there are too many, so he sets the program to answer every prayer ''Yes'' automatically.

Bruce attends a party to celebrate his promotion. When Grace arrives, she finds Bruce being kissed by his co-anchor, Susan Ortega, who forced herself on him, and leaves. Bruce tries to use his powers to convince her to stay, but cannot influence her free will. He realizes that Buffalo has fallen into chaos due to his actions: some believe the [[Apocalypse]] is imminent due to the meteor strikes, while a large number of people, all having prayed to win the lottery and received a small amount like $17 in return, have started rioting everywhere. Bruce returns to God, who explains that he cannot solve all the problems and Bruce must figure out a way. Bruce then starts to help others without using his powers, including having Evan reinstated as anchor. He returns to his computer at home and views Grace's prayers, wishing for his success and well-being. As Bruce reads them, another arrives, wishing not to be in love with him any more.

Bruce walks alone on a highway, asking God to take back his powers and leaving his fate in his hands. He is hit by a truck and regains consciousness in a white void, apparently dead. God appears and asks Bruce what he really wants; Bruce only wants to make sure Grace finds a man who will make her happy. God agrees, and Bruce awakes on the roadside, undergoing defibrillation. Grace visits him in hospital and they reconcile. Following his full recovery, Bruce returns to his field reporting job, deciding to take pleasure in the simple news stories in Buffalo.

==Cast==
{{castlist|
* [[Jim Carrey]] as Bruce Nolan
* [[Morgan Freeman]] as [[God in Christianity|God]]
* [[Jennifer Aniston]] as Grace Connelly, Bruce's girlfriend
* [[Philip Baker Hall]] as Jack Baylor
* [[Catherine Bell (actress)|Catherine Bell]] as Susan Ortega, Bruce's co-anchor
* [[Lisa Ann Walter]] as Debbie Connelly, Grace's sister
* [[Steve Carell]] (credited as Steven Carell) as Evan Baxter, Bruce's rival
* [[Nora Dunn]] as Ally Loman
* [[Eddie Jemison]] as Bobby
* [[Sally Kirkland]] as Anita Mann
* Lou Felder as Pete Fineman, Eyewitness News veteran anchorman
* [[Paul Satterfield]] as Dallas Coleman
* [[Micah Stephen Williams]] as boy on bike
* [[Tony Bennett]] as himself
* [[Carlos Sánchez (Colombian actor)|Carlos Sánchez]] as [[Juan Valdez]]
* [[John Murphy (sportscaster)|John Murphy]] as himself
* Madeline Lovejoy as Zoe
* [[Noel Gugliemi]] as Hood
* [[Annie Wersching]] as woman at party
}}

==Production==
[[File:Interior of tea house the Japanese Garden.jpg|thumb|The ''[[Shoin]]'' building at [[the Japanese Garden]] in Los Angeles was used as the spa.]]

In June 2000, it was announced that [[Universal Pictures]] had paid over $1 million for a spec script titled ''Bruce Almighty''<ref name="AlmightyUniversal">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/u-s-almighty-spec-1117782215/|title=U's 'Almighty' spec|publisher=Variety|access-date=November 15, 2022|archive-date=November 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115234207/https://variety.com/2000/film/news/u-s-almighty-spec-1117782215/|url-status=live}}</ref> with the intention of positioning the script as a directing vehicle for [[Tom Shadyac]] via his Universal-based production company Shady Acres.<ref name="AlmightyUniversal" /> Jim Carrey signed on to star in March 2002 with [[Steve Oedekerk]] rewriting the script.<ref name="CarreyUniversal">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2002/film/news/carrey-takes-almighty-gig-for-u-pix-shadyac-1117864559/|title=Carrey takes 'Almighty' gig for U Pix, Shadyac|publisher=Variety|access-date=November 15, 2022|archive-date=November 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115234218/https://variety.com/2002/film/news/carrey-takes-almighty-gig-for-u-pix-shadyac-1117864559/|url-status=live}}</ref> Previously, Carrey had been slated to star in another comedy for Universal titled 'Dog Years' to be directed by [[Gary Ross]], but following that film's cancellation, Universal was eager to get Carrey onto another project.<ref name="CarreyUniversal" />

Filming of [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] was done in the "New York Street" at [[Universal Studios Hollywood]]. The restaurant with [[Tony Bennett]] was filmed at Cicada, in the [[James Oviatt Building]], downtown Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.movie-locations.com/movies/b/Bruce-Almighty.php | title=Filming Locations for Bruce Almighty (2003) in Los Angeles | access-date=December 22, 2020 | archive-date=November 28, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128083337/http://movie-locations.com/movies/b/Bruce-Almighty.php | url-status=live }}</ref> The [[spa]] scene with Jennifer Aniston was filmed in the ''[[Shoin]]'' building at [[The Japanese Garden]] in Los Angeles.

==Release==
''Bruce Almighty'' was released on May 23, 2003, by [[Universal Pictures]]. Universal handled distribution in the United States and Canada (although they were originally planned to distribute the film worldwide) while [[Spyglass Entertainment]] handled sales rights internationally.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunkley |first=Cathy |date=2002-08-02 |title=Spyglass joins U for 'Bruce' |url=https://variety.com/2002/film/markets-festivals/spyglass-joins-u-for-bruce-1117870663/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=August 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828230034/https://variety.com/2002/film/markets-festivals/spyglass-joins-u-for-bruce-1117870663/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Buena Vista International]] acquired distribution rights in a majority of regions<ref name="BVI">{{cite web|url= https://www.screendaily.com/bvi-hits-milestones-with-pirates-bruce-almighty/4015393.article|title= BVI hits milestones with Pirates, Bruce Almighty|work= ScreenDaily|access-date= January 12, 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180113093233/https://www.screendaily.com/bvi-hits-milestones-with-pirates-bruce-almighty/4015393.article|archive-date= January 13, 2018|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="Variety ref">{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2003/film/box-office/bvi-goes-over-the-top-o-seas-1117894216/|title= BVI goes over the top o'seas|work= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date= 20 October 2003|access-date= January 12, 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180113093444/http://variety.com/2003/film/box-office/bvi-goes-over-the-top-o-seas-1117894216/|archive-date= January 13, 2018|url-status= live}}</ref> except in Scandinavia, Portugal and Japan, where it was handled by distributors who already held deals with Spyglass in those respective territories. [[United International Pictures]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dawtrey |first=Adam |date=2003-03-30 |title=UIP to distrib Spyglass duo in Japan |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/markets-festivals/uip-to-distrib-spyglass-duo-in-japan-1117883818/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829000739/https://variety.com/2003/film/markets-festivals/uip-to-distrib-spyglass-duo-in-japan-1117883818/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Pony Canyon]]<ref>{{Citation |last=トム・シャドヤック |title=ブルース・オールマイティ ミラクル・エディション |date=2004-04-21 |url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Bruce-Almighty-Miracle-DVD-%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A0%E3%83%BB%E3%82%AD%E3%83%A3%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC/dp/B0000YTR6Y |access-date=2023-11-22 |publisher=ポニーキャニオン |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126231534/https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Bruce-Almighty-Miracle-DVD-%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A0%E3%83%BB%E3%82%AD%E3%83%A3%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC/dp/B0000YTR6Y |url-status=live }}</ref> respectively handled theatrical and home video rights in Japan, while [[SF Studios]] handled Scandinavian distribution through subsidiaries [[SF Studios|AB Svensk Filmindustri]] in Sweden,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bruce Almighty (2003) - SFdb |url=https://www.svenskfilmdatabas.se/en/item/?type=film&itemid=55608 |access-date=2023-11-22 |language=en |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126231715/https://www.svenskfilmdatabas.se/en/item/?type=film&itemid=55608 |url-status=live }}</ref> SF Film A/S in Denmark<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bruce Almighty |url=https://www.dfi.dk/en/viden-om-film/filmdatabasen/film/bruce-den-almaegtige |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=www.dfi.dk |language=en |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829000740/https://www.dfi.dk/en/viden-om-film/filmdatabasen/film/bruce-den-almaegtige |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[SF Film Finland|FS Film Oy]] in Finland.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fixgalleria.net/release.php?id=12922 | title=Fixgalleria.net | access-date=August 29, 2023 | archive-date=August 29, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829000740/http://www.fixgalleria.net/release.php?id=12922 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Home media===
''Bruce Almighty'' was released on [[DVD]] and [[VHS]] on November 25, 2003, by [[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment|Universal Studios Home Video]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Vancheri |first=Barbara |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122526131/november-almighty-month-for-movies/ |title=November: Almighty month for movies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408220155/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122526131/november-almighty-month-for-movies/ |date=October 31, 2003 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |page=92 |work=Post-Gazette Staff Writer |publisher=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> The DVD version features separate widescreen and fullscreen versions, along with [[Dolby Digital]] and [[DTS, Inc.|DTS]] audio tracks.<ref name="DVDAlmighty">{{cite web|last=Patrizio|first=Andy|title=Bruce Almighty|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/15/bruce-almighty|publisher=IGN|access-date=October 19, 2024|date=December 15, 2003}}</ref> It was later released on Blu-Ray.

==Reception==
===Box office===
''Bruce Almighty'' earned $67.9 million during its opening weekend, which made it the highest for a [[Jim Carrey]] film, surpassing ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 film)|How the Grinch Stole Christmas]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title='Bruce Almighty' easily wins box office
|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2003/05/26/Bruce-Almighty-easily-wins-box-office/5111053921600/ |access-date=March 20, 2022 |work=[[United Press International]] |date=May 26, 2003 |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320011854/https://www.upi.com/Archives/2003/05/26/Bruce-Almighty-easily-wins-box-office/5111053921600/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This record would be held until the opening of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (film)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sonic-the-hedgehog-box-office-opening-ambulance-1235127693/|title=Box Office: ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'' Booms With $72M Bow, ''Ambulance'' DOA|date=April 10, 2022|first=Pamela|last=McClintock|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=April 11, 2022|archive-date=April 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410230304/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sonic-the-hedgehog-box-office-opening-ambulance-1235127693/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, it was one of three Universal films of 2003 to make opening weekends of $50 million, joining ''[[2 Fast 2 Furious]]'' and ''[[Hulk (film)|Hulk]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=June 22, 2003 |title=Green meanie's no weenie |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/box-office/green-meanie-s-no-weenie-1117888287/ |access-date=July 30, 2022 |archive-date=July 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730203126/https://variety.com/2003/film/box-office/green-meanie-s-no-weenie-1117888287/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In its first four days, the film generated a total of $86.4 million, becoming the second-highest [[Memorial Day]] weekend debut, behind ''[[The Lost World: Jurassic Park]]''. It opened in the number one spot at the box office, beating ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-27-et-welkos27-story.html|title=Weekend box office surprises even 'Almighty'|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=May 27, 2003|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319202257/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-27-et-welkos27-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film would be dethroned by ''[[Finding Nemo]]'' in its second weekend, declining by 45.1% and making $37.3 million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98992509/nemo-sinks-bruce-at-box-office/ |title='Nemo' sinks 'Bruce' at box office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403180509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98992509/nemo-sinks-bruce-at-box-office/ |date=June 2, 2003 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |page=26 |work=The Associated Press |publisher=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref>

The film was released in the [[United Kingdom]] on June 27, 2003, and topped the country's box office that weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.25thframe.co.uk/box-office/box-office.php?chart=20030627|title=Weekend box office 27th June 2003 - 29th June 2003|publisher=www.25thframe.co.uk|access-date=March 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230160014/http://www.25thframe.co.uk/charts/chart.php?chart=20030711|archive-date=December 30, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> There, it made a total of $8.3 million, beating ''[[Batman Forever]]'' to have the highest opening weekend for a Jim Carrey film in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/almighty-opening-gives-carrey-career-best-uk-launch/4014045.article|title=Almighty opening gives Carrey career best UK launch|access-date=May 16, 2023|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127142629/https://www.screendaily.com/almighty-opening-gives-carrey-career-best-uk-launch/4014045.article|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Bruce Almighty'' joined ''The Matrix Reloaded'', ''Finding Nemo'', ''[[X2 (film)|X2]]'' and ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl]]'' to become the first five films to earn over $200 million at the box office in one summer season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Analysis: Hollywood's hot summer |url=https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2003/09/02/Analysis-Hollywoods-hot-summer/47631062534986/ |access-date=March 1, 2022 |work=[[United Press International]] |date=September 2, 2003 |archive-date=March 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301174947/https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2003/09/02/Analysis-Hollywoods-hot-summer/47631062534986/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By the end of its theatrical run, the film had made $242 million domestically and a total $484 million worldwide, making it Aniston and Carrey's highest-grossing film worldwide, as well as the [[2003 in film#Highest-grossing films|fifth-highest-grossing film of 2003]].<ref name="mojo" /> It continued to be Carrey's highest-grossing film worldwide until March 2025 when ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (film)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' surpassed it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/jim-carrey-highest-grossing-movie-sonic-the-hedgehog-3-485-million/|title='Sonic the Hedgehog 3' Just Became Jim Carrey's Highest-Grossing Movie of All Time}}</ref>

===Critical response===
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of 48% based on 191 reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Carrey is hilarious in the slapstick scenes, but ''Bruce Almighty'' gets bogged down in treacle."<ref>{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y|title=Bruce Almighty}} |type=m |title=Bruce Almighty |access-date={{RT data|access date|title=Bruce Almighty}} |publisher_hide=yes}}{{RT data|edit|title=Bruce Almighty}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], it has a weighted average score of 46 out of 100, based on 35 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.<ref>{{Cite Metacritic |id=bruce-almighty |type=movie |title=Bruce Almighty |access-date=March 27, 2023 |publisher_hide=yes}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.

[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave the film three out of four stars, calling it: "A charmer, the kind of movie where Bruce learns that while he may not ever make a very good God, the experience may indeed make him a better television newsman." Ebert praised Aniston's performance: "Aniston, as a sweet kindergarten teacher and fiancée, shows again (after ''[[The Good Girl]]'') that she really will have a movie career."<ref>{{cite web |date=May 5, 2003 |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=Bruce Almighty movie review & film summary (2003) |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/bruce-almighty-2003 |website=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |access-date=August 31, 2020 |archive-date=January 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131075822/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/bruce-almighty-2003 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''{{'}}s Robert Koehler gave the film a mixed review: "There's remarkably little done with a premise snatched from high-concept heaven, adding yet another file to the growing cabinet of under-realized comedies."<ref>{{cite web |date=May 23, 2003 |last=Koehler |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Koehler |title=Bruce Almighty |url=https://variety.com/review/VE1117920862 |website=Variety }}</ref> The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' gave it a negative review and called it "not so mighty".<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=May 23, 2003|title=Not quite divine|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-23-et-thomas23-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830202404/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-23-et-thomas23-story.html|archive-date=August 30, 2022|access-date=January 1, 2021|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

Chuck Rudolph of ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' said, "In several ways, the movie is an apathetic revision of ''[[The Truman Show]]'', with Carrey starring as both Truman and Christof."<ref name="slantmagazinerev">{{cite web |last1=Rudolph |first1=Chuck |title=Review: Bruce Almighty - Slant Magazine |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/bruce-almighty/ |website=Slant Magazine.com |date=May 21, 2003 |publisher=Chuck Rudolph |accessdate=October 30, 2024 |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126231455/https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/bruce-almighty/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Controversies===
The film was banned in [[Egypt]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Iran]], [[Kuwait]] and [[Qatar]] because of its portrayal of God as an ordinary man and its being blasphemous to Islam. Bans in both [[Malaysia]] and Egypt were eventually lifted after the nations' censorship boards gave the film their highest rating (18-PL in the case of Malaysia).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=7703 |title=Middle East Online |access-date=June 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930161208/http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=7703 |archive-date=2007-09-30 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=NTEyMjkzNTUx |title=Malaysian Muslims call for ban on movie, AFP, Fri July 13, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207031318/http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=NTEyMjkzNTUx |archive-date=December 7, 2008 }}</ref>

As God contacts Bruce using an actual phone number rather than one in the standard fictional [[555 (telephone number)|555]] [[telephone exchange]], several people and groups sharing this number received hundreds of phone calls from people wanting to talk to God, including a church in [[North Carolina]], US (where the minister was named Bruce), a Florida woman who threatened to sue Universal Pictures, a pastor in northern Wisconsin and a man running a sandwich shop in [[Manchester]], [[England]].<ref name="Chicago Tribune">{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/03/29/hold-the-phone-that-fake-number-works/ |title=Hold the phone — that fake number works - Chicago Tribune |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=March 29, 2011 |access-date=2015-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107113505/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-03-29/entertainment/sc-mov-0330-movie-phone-numbers-20110329_1_number-customer-service-representative-dial |archive-date=2012-11-07 |url-status=live }}</ref> The producers noted that the number (776–2323) was not in use in the area code ([[Area code 716|716]], which was never specified on screen) in the film's story, but did not check anywhere else. For the home video and television versions of the film, the number was changed to the fictional 555–0123.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/3033576.stm |title=Man 'shares God's phone number' |date=30 June 2003 |access-date=2007-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514025219/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/3033576.stm |archive-date=2007-05-14 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Chicago Tribune"/>

==Accolades==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" | Association
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Nominee
! scope="col" | Results
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards]]
| Top Box Office Films
| John Debney
| {{Won}}
|-
| Most Performed Song from a Motion Picture "I'm With You"
| Graham Edwards<br>Avril Lavigne
| {{Won}}
|-
| BET Comedy Awards
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Box Office Movie
| rowspan="2" | Morgan Freeman
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Black Reel Awards]]
| [[Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor|Film: Best Supporting Actor]]
| {{Nominated}}<ref>{{cite web | title=Black Reel Awards (2004) | website=IMDb | date=2004-02-22 | url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000957/2004/1/ | access-date=2024-12-11 | archive-date=July 20, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720202947/https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000957/2004/1/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[JoBlo.com|JoBlo.com Golden Schmoes Awards]]
| Most Overrated Movie of the Year
|
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[NAACP Image Awards]]
| [[Image Awards 2004|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture]]
| Morgan Freeman
| {{Won}}<ref>{{cite web | agency=Associated Press | title='Temptations' tempt NAACP | website=Variety | date=2004-03-07 | url=https://variety.com/2004/film/awards/temptations-tempt-naacp-1117901308/ | access-date=2024-12-11 | archive-date=December 24, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224180122/https://variety.com/2004/film/awards/temptations-tempt-naacp-1117901308/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[MTV Movie & TV Awards]]
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance|Best Comedic Performance]]
| Jim Carrey
| {{Nominated}}<ref name="susman">{{cite web | last=Susman | first=Gary | title=''Pirates'' leads MTV Movie Awards noms | website=EW.com | date=2004-04-21 | url=https://ew.com/article/2004/04/21/pirates-leads-mtv-movie-awards-noms/ | access-date=2024-12-11 | archive-date=December 13, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213181745/https://ew.com/article/2004/04/21/pirates-leads-mtv-movie-awards-noms/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss|Best Kiss]]
| Jim Carrey<br>Jennifer Aniston
| {{Nominated}}<ref name="susman"/>
|-
| [[MTV Movie Awards Mexico 2004|MTV Movie Awards Mexico]]
| [[MTV Movie Awards Mexico 2004|Most Divine Miracle in a Movie (for the chest of Grace)]]
| Jim Carrey
| {{Won}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards]]
| Favorite Movie
|
| {{Nominated}}<ref name="nominations">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nickkcapress.com/2004KCA/content/nominee.php |title=Cameron Diaz and Mike Myers Are Tapped as Co-Hosts of Nickelodeon's 17TH Annual Kids' Choice Awards Live Telecast Saturday, April 3 |date=January 19, 2004 |access-date=September 30, 2019 |archive-date=December 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201035426/http://www.nickkcapress.com/2004KCA/content/nominee.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| Favorite Movie Actor
| Jim Carrey
| {{Won}}<ref name="winners">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nickkcapress.com/2004KCA/content/winners_release.php |title= JIM CARREY, AMANDA BYNES, FRANKIE MUNIZ, OUTKAST, ELLEN DEGENERES, HILARY DUFF, TONY HAWK, "HARRY POTTER," MIA HAMM, "SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS," NELLY, LOS ANGELES LAKERS AND MORE CAPTURE TOP HONORS AT NICKELODEON'S 17TH ANNUAL KIDS' CHOICE AWARDS |date=April 3, 2004 |access-date=September 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104084021/http://www.nickkcapress.com/2004KCA/content/winners_release.php
|archive-date=2021-11-04}}</ref>
|-
| [[People's Choice Awards]]
| Favorite Comedy Motion Picture
| 
| {{Won}}<ref>{{cite web | title=30th People's Choice Awards Coverage | website=DigitalHit.com | date=2003-12-02 | url=https://www.digitalhit.com/pca/30pca.shtml | access-date=2024-12-10 | archive-date=December 3, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203062931/https://www.digitalhit.com/pca/30pca.shtml | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[Teen Choice Awards]]
| [[Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor – Comedy|Choice Movie Actor – Comedy]]
| Jim Carrey
| {{Won}}<ref>{{cite web | title=Teen Choice Awards (2003) | website=IMDb | date=2003-08-02 | url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000644/2003/1/ | access-date=2024-12-11 | archive-date=December 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209220856/https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000644/2003/1/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress – Comedy|Choice Movie Actress – Comedy]]
| Jennifer Aniston
| {{Nominated}}<ref name="bill2003">{{cite magazine | title=2003 Teen Choice Awards Nominees | magazine=Billboard | date=2003-06-18 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/2003-teen-choice-awards-nominees-70551/ | access-date=2024-12-11 | archive-date=November 10, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110163238/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/2003-teen-choice-awards-nominees-70551/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Choice Movie – Chemistry
| Jim Carrey<br> Morgan Freeman
| {{Nominated}}<ref name="bill2003"/>
|}

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name       = Bruce Almighty: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
| type       = soundtrack
| artist     = [[John Debney]], Various Artists
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released   = June 3, 2003
| recorded   =
| studio     =
| genre      = Soundtrack
| length     =
| label      = [[Varèse Sarabande]]
| producer   =
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title =
| next_year  =
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="amg">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r643556|pure_url=yes}}|title=Review: ''Bruce Almighty: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack''|last=Phares|first=Heather|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=30 August 2009}}</ref>
}}
The soundtrack was released on June 3, 2003, by [[Varèse Sarabande]]. Tracks 8-13 are from the score composed by [[John Debney]], performed by the [[Hollywood Studio Symphony]] (conducted by Pete Anthony) with Brad Dechter and Sandy De Crescent.

'''Track listing'''
# "[[One of Us (Joan Osborne song)|One of Us]]" – [[Joan Osborne]]
# "God Shaped Hole" – [[Plumb (singer)|Plumb]]
# "[[You're a God]]" – [[Vertical Horizon]]
# "[[The Power (Snap! song)|The Power]]" – [[Snap!]]
# "[[A Little Less Conversation]]" – [[Elvis Presley|Elvis]] vs. [[Tom Holkenborg|JXL]]
# "[[The Rockafeller Skank]]" – [[Norman Cook|Fatboy Slim]]
# "[[Goddess in the Doorway|God Gave Me Everything]]" – [[Mick Jagger]] featuring [[Lenny Kravitz]]
# "[[If I Ruled the World]]" – [[Tony Bennett]] 
# "AB Positive"
# "Walking on Water"
# "Seventh at Seven"
# "Bruce Meets God"
# "Bruce's Prayer"
# "Grace's Prayer"

==Related media==
* ''[[Arai En 305-il Kadavul]]'', a [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language remake
* ''[[God Tussi Great Ho]]'', an Indian remake
* ''[[The Story of God with Morgan Freeman]]'', a spin-off [[documentary]] television series starring [[Morgan Freeman]]

===Sequel===
{{Main|Evan Almighty}}
A [[Sequel#Stand-alone sequels|sequel]] and spin-off, titled ''Evan Almighty'', was released on June 22, 2007, with [[Steve Carell]] reprising his role as Evan Baxter and Morgan Freeman returning to his role as God. Although Shadyac returned to direct the sequel, neither Carrey nor Aniston were involved with the film, and Carrey's character, Bruce, is never mentioned in the film. The film was a critical and commercial failure.

Before ''Evan Almighty'' materialized, screenwriters Steve Koren and Mark O'Keefe envisioned a sequel with the title ''Brucifer''. The proposed sequel involved Aniston's character dying and Carrey's character, under the weight of his grief, takes on Satan's powers, which he uses to resurrect Aniston's character.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sharf |first1=Zack |title='Bruce Almighty' Writers Detail Unmade Sequel 'Brucifer': Jim Carrey as Satan, Undead Jennifer Aniston and More |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/jim-carrey-unmade-bruce-almighty-sequel-brucifer-satan-1235439082/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=November 22, 2022 |access-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-date=November 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122234536/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/jim-carrey-unmade-bruce-almighty-sequel-brucifer-satan-1235439082/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website|http://www.brucealmighty.com/}}{{dead link|date=January 2023}}
* {{IMDb title|0315327|Bruce Almighty}}

{{Almighty}}
{{Tom Shadyac}}
{{Jim Carrey}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bruce Almighty}}
[[Category:2003 controversies]]
[[Category:2003 films]]
[[Category:2003 comedy films]]
[[Category:2003 fantasy films]]
[[Category:2000s fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:American fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:Censored films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:Films about Christianity]]
[[Category:Films about God]]
[[Category:Films about television]]
[[Category:Films about wish fulfillment]]
[[Category:Films directed by Tom Shadyac]]
[[Category:Films scored by John Debney]]
[[Category:Films set in Buffalo, New York]]
[[Category:Films shot in Buffalo, New York]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Steve Oedekerk]]
[[Category:Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award–winning films]]
[[Category:Religion in fantasy fiction]]
[[Category:Religious comedy films]]
[[Category:Religious controversies in film]]
[[Category:Spyglass Entertainment films]]
[[Category:Universal Pictures films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:Buena Vista International films]]
[[Category:English-language fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:Teen Choice Award winning films]]
[[Category:American religious comedy films]]