OH, GOD!

US, 1977, 104 minutes, Colour.
George Burns, John Denver, Teri Garr, Donald Pleasence, Paul Sorvino, Ralph Bellamy, Barry Sullivan, Barnard Hughes, Jeff Corey, Dinah Shore, Carl Reiner.
Directed by Carl Reiner.

Oh, God! turned out to be a surprisingly delightful film that entertained many audiences. Very few found that they were offended. Some audiences took the theme very seriously and literally and did not like the film. Some theologians were cautious about the implications of the theology. However the film was an attempt to bring something of the reality of God and his concern into a modern concept which transcended denominations. George Burns, the veteran of so many comedies and a master of timing, is an excellent choice for portraying God. His humour communicates itself very well. John Denver seems also a very good choice for Jerry Landers, the man, the ordinary man, chosen by God to communicate His message. There are many wise and witty things said in this film about religion. There is a rather strong attack on the evangelism of the type put forward by Billy Graham - and this may offend some audiences. All in all, Oh God is an enjoyable way of reminding ourselves that there is something more than this world.

1. Expectations from title, reputation? Hollywood treatment of religion and God? The impact of the film as regards comedy.. message? A successful attempt at entertainment with the person of God? The significance of Voltaire's remark that God is a comedian playing to an audience afraid to laugh?

2. How important was the audience's point of view as regards the existence of God or not? Jerry and his lack of religious belief? Would the film persuade anyone as to the existence of God, as to the nature of God, his Providence? As regards his relationship with man and care for him? As regards the nature of the world and man's responsibility and free choice?

3. How religious was the film? The comments made on religion, organised religions, God not belonging to any of them? God made the distinction between belief and religion. How relevant was this? For Jerry? For the professional religious men?

4. The basic value of God's message? The value of the world, giving us each other to help towards the goals of the world? God in his care, his not wanting miracles only at times if they help belief? God caring but leaving it to us? His knowledge of the past and the present, but sheer luck and man's choice for the future? His decision to send saviours every so often? For what purpose? Jerry as one of these saviours?

5. The quality of the comedy? The humorous remarks on the part of God.. God making comments e.g. on baseball, television repeats, the media etc.? How was the blend between respect for God and comedy kept? The relevance of Voltaire? The humour and punning?

6. The theological insight into the nature of Incarnation - that nun can respond to God only if God has empathy, speaks to him in his own language? The voice? The kind of language? The incarnation of God in the form of George Burns, his dress, manner, language? How humorous? How did Burns make this incarnation of God credible?

7. What insight into the nature of God: the image, the reality, the nature of belief and commitment? How credible did the film make God?

8. Themes of Providence, the emphasis on questions of choice and man's responsibility, free will, God's care?

9. The basis of God's decision to intervene in the modern world? The purpose of going to America, of choosing Jerry? His ordinariness, better than some, not as good as others, but at the right time? The prophets and saviours fulfilling these conditions? Moses?

10. Audience response to God as modern? His knowledge of the modern world, the "in" topical jokes, his style? The various modes in which he appeared? His appearance, dress, in the car, in the supermarket, as a litter collector, taxi man, buzz boy? The finale and going off to the animals?

11. How plausible did the film make the situation at the beginning? The Landers and their home life? Jerry and the details of his work at the supermarket, Bobby, the children? An ordinary couple? Quality of the bonds between the two? The message, its reappearance? The thinking that it was a practical joke?

12. John Denver and his style as Jerry? The ordinary good man? His scepticism, interest, dedication to God once he understood him? Bobby as the ordinary, puzzled and supportive housewife? Jerry telling Adam and Becky, their reaction to the television, to his picking them up after school? Could audiences identify with this family?

13. The impact of the first encounter: thinking it was a joke, the intercom, the lift and the 27th floor? The transition to the supermarket and God turning into the Negro woman? The car and the raining inside the car and the police reaction? How did God build up his personality as he appeared? Leading to the court-room sequence and his final speech explaining himself? His comments on miracles? His interaction with the judge and proofs? Seeing is believing?

14. Jerry and his non-belief? The relationship between belief, experience? Fear of madness?

15. The reaction of the Los Angeles Times, scepticism and the novelty card? The report in the paper, TV coverage, news items? Comment on the cranks outside Jerry's house? The Dinah show (how humorous with Carl Reiner and his impersonation of Dorian Gray's face?) The laughs about Jerry and seeing God, the counterpoint of the family watching the show? The importance of the police artist drawing the impression of God and presenting that to the American public? God not being satisfied because it was the last few minutes of the show?

16. The consequences for Jerry as regards his job, Mr. Summers and his attitude towards Jerry and religion, his future? The jokes at the expense of Mr. Wilson and his having prayer breakfasts with presidents etc.?

17. The build-up to the interrogation by the official religious representatives? Their personalities? Representing the various denominations? Their scepticism, the nature of their questions? Billy Williams and his leading the scepticism?

18. The importance of the sequence where God arrived and the wisdom of the questions answered? Breaking across religious denominations? Giving offence to none? Basic truth in religion especially emphasising man's possibilities? The reaction of the theologians?

19. The build-up to the rally and the satire in the visual presentation of it, Billy Williams' own style, the people and their reaction, the giving of money, God's comments on Billy Williams and money and his hypocrisy, telling him to shut up? Billy William's falling into the trap and being denounced?

20. The humour of the court case and dramatic point at the end of the film? Billy Williams and his self-righteousness? The attacks of his Attorney? Jerry conducting his own defence and not succeeding? The judge trying to be fair? God arriving at the right moment? Jerry's point about calling God and people's expectation that he would arrive? Everybody being convinced while God was present? The loophole and tapes and the jokes about erasing tapes? Legal evidence and God leaving it to people to make their own decisions? The vindication of Jerry?

21. God leaving but his explaining the Johnny Appleseed parable and sowing good seeds which can grow? God choosing prophets who can leave these seeds so that his message goes ahead?

22. What had been achieved by the end of the film? As comedy, as elevating people and enjoying a religious message and absorbing it?