EVAN ALMIGHTY

US, 2007, 95 minutes, Colour.
Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham, Johnny Simmons, Graham Phillips, Jimmy Bennett, John Goodman, Wanda Sykes, John Michael Higgins, Jonah Hill, Molly Shannon, Harve Presnell.
Directed by Tom Shadyac.

What if a modern-day Noah had to build an ark? Here is one answer.

I wish I could have like Evan Almighty more than I did. Not that many audiences will not enjoy it and its positive, even religious, message and comic tone. But, compared with Bruce Almighty, it is far less complex, far less witty, far less funny. Maybe God, as well as writer Steve Oederkerk and director Tom Shadyac has a lot to do with it.

God? Well, at least God as portrayed by Morgan Freeman. He is back again after letting Bruce take over for him while he went on vacation so that Bruce (and the audience) could learn some of the pressures that God is under as well as wondering how we would handle the world were we to find ourselves given the divine task.

Perhaps the thing is that, this time, Evan does not get the chance to play God at all. There is a much more different dynamic operating here, one that those familiar with the stand-out figures of the Old Testament would appreciate. God calls special people for a particular and challenging mission. He doesn't necessarily reach out to help them all that much. The learning is in completing the mission and the effort that it takes.

Last time we saw Steve Carrel as Evan as a vain (and tongue-tangled) television personality. Now he has been elected to the US Congress and has moved with wife and three sons to Virginia. As with all those American movies which challenge oppressive legislation in the Capitol, especially against the environment (from Mr Smith Goes to Washington to Goldie Hawn in Protocol and Legally Blonde 2), the hero has to stand up to a dominating villain. This time it is a literal heavy in the form of John Goodman.

But, God has other ideas for Evan and delivers tools, then wood, to his front door with the request that he build an ark and even supplies Building an Ark for Dummies. Evan becomes an initially reluctant Noah (with his wife, Joan of the ark!), bearded, long-haired, with a Hebrew robe. The family are upset but opt to work with Evan (thus reinforcing the message about the family that builds arks together stays together). Media, politicians and public come to mock.

But, birds have come flocking (in twos), then the animals arrive, bigger and bigger (and who also help in the building). When the flood comes, it is a particular flood with an ecological and anti-business exploitation message; and the special effects are quite spectacular.

So, the dynamic is that of the biblical call and mission, with the kindly Morgan Freeman (doubling as a diner busboy Al Mighty) doing a touch of divine bullying. And God does not appear as frequently as we would like.

The screenplay is very American in its style, straightforward, broadly comical rather than hilarious, wearing its religious heart on its sleeve rather than rib-tickling or acting on the funny bone. Other cultures, more reticent in expression, might find it a bit too obvious, a bit too pious and a bit too preachy. It does not mean that one sensibility is better or worse than another just that sensibilities are different in their responses.

1.A popular family entertainment? The popularity of Bruce Almighty? As comedy, as picturing of God, as religious fable?

2.Evan and his place in Bruce's life? On television? The prologue of the film, his work at the television station, his becoming a congressman, the campaign and its foolish aspects? Establishing Evan as the central character, as different from Bruce?

3.The Washington settings, the buildings of government, Virginia and the homes, the valley? The work of government, interiors, offices? The contrast with homes? The musical score?

4.The parallel with the Noah story, Genesis 6:14? The ark, his wife Joan, of the Ark? The text, the fable, the flood, the particularly American and narrow focus? Symbolic of universal values? ARK: Acts of Random Kindness?

5.Morgan Freeman as God, genial, declaring his love for everyone, Evan's mission, God harassing him to complete the ark, the challenge? Leaving the tools, the wood, the messages? Showing Evan the vision of the valley without the buildings? God's wise sayings, encouragement? At the diner with Joan, Al Mighty? The situation of the flood, the government implications, legislation? The politicians, the bills? The flood, God's achievement? The final commandment and doing the dance?

6.Evan, his character, age, ambitions? His family, the boys? At home, going to work, the staffers, Congressman Long and his gift of the office? Having to do his homework, not going on the hike? Disappointing the family? His efforts?

7.The tools, the wood being delivered, his trying to get rid of the wood? Waking at 6.14, seeing the number 614 everywhere? The numberplate? Studying the Bible?

8.His avoiding the office, his hair growing long, the attempts to shave? The reaction of his staff? Congressman Long? The meeting with the financiers and the birds coming, Evan and his utilising the situation? Wearing his suit but the robe bursting out? His appearance like Noah?

9.Building the ark, the birds flocking, at his office, the attack on Congressman Long, coming in twos? The range of animals following, gathering, helping with the work?

10.Joan, her exasperation, taking the boys? God's appearance to her at the diner? The return, the boys and their wanting to help build the ark?

11.Congressman Long, his threats? Evan's staff, the wisecracks, the puzzle?

12. The completion of the ark, Jon Stewart and his mocking Evan? The people standing round and ridiculing him? The weather forecast, the possibility of rain or not?

13.The rain, its passing, the people going? The dam bursting, everybody taking refuge in the ark? The flood, sailing through the valley and its destruction? Arriving in Washington? Its effect especially on Congressman Long?

14.The lesson, Evan and his understanding of family and work? Nature? Exploitation of nature?

15.The happy ending, for everyone and everybody joining in the dance?