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Review #473 of 365
Movie Review of Evan Almighty (2007) [PG] 95 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $13.50
Where Viewed: United Artists Denver Pavilions Stadium 15, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 22 June 2007
Time: 12:25 p.m.
Film's Official Website • Film's Trailer
DVD Release Date: 9 October 2007
Directed by: Tom Shadyac (Bruce Almighty)
Screenplay by: Steve Oedekerk (Barnyard) based on story by Steve Oedekerk, Joel Cohen, and Alec Sokolow
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him / Her from):
Steve Carell (Little Miss Sunshine) • Morgan Freeman (Lucky Number Slevin) • Lauren Graham (Because I Said So) • Johnny Simmons (My Ambition) • Graham Phillips (The Ten Commandments: The Musical) • Jimmy Bennett (Poseidon) • John Goodman (Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School) • Wanda Sykes (My Super Ex-Girlfriend) • John Michael Higgins (For Your Consideration) • Jonah Hill (Knocked Up) • Molly Shannon (Gray Matters)
Soundtrack: Download now from 
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
Evan Almighty reminded me of last summer's Adam Sandler comedy Click in that they were both films of higher purpose on the morality scale that got high-jacked by hi-jinx that needlessly detracted from what otherwise would have placed them among the best films of the year not just among the top comedies. Will Ferrell came out at the Academy Awards® show this past spring with a not-so-funny bit about how comedies never get respect by the Academy in consideration for the top awards. The truth of the matter is that they do, but not when they drop to the lowest common denominators of comedy: repetitive or redundant physical harm (aka the Three Stooges concept), bodily function / fluid secretions / gaseous emission jokes and /or effects; and, of course, outrageous or ludicrous prejudices or stereotypes—of which committing only the former two sins is Evan Almighty guilty, while Click committed all three. It's odd in the case of Evan Almighty because there is a really good story here, one of great significance. And whether you believe in a higher power or not, the simple message of how to save the world is summed up, though not new, in the notion that changing things begins with simple acts of random kindness. Whether screenwriter Steve Oedekerk in conjunction with Bruce Almighty-returning director, Tom Shadyac, felt that people wouldn't come to this film or enjoy it if there wasn't a dreadfully long sequence of Evan (Steve Carell) enduring nearly every form of construction mishap from hammering his thumb to getting knocked around and off of every manner, shape, and size of board, and generally allowing the tools God (Morgan Freeman) gives him to build an Ark to get the better of him isn't clear. Moreover, whether they personally find every known species of bird droppings being squirted onto people amusing or not, is also open to question. Again, it's the problem of trying to appeal to some unwritten lowest common denominator in comedic films that sabotages them. You want to be considered for an Academy Award® or do you think you will draw in more people following the Johnny Knoxville routine? Of course the choice is up to the writer, director, producers, and studio prior to release which route the will go. Honestly, though, my contention is that both films, Click and Evan Almighty had strong enough casts, strong enough stories, and high enough caliber production values and effects, to make them worthy of long-shot consideration for Best Picture, believe it or not were it not for these poor choices. And comedies can too win. Shakespeare in Love beat out Saving Private Ryan in 1998 and Tootsie came close to beating Gandhi in 1982. It may well be, though, that most comedic writers cannot resist the 'slipping on the banana peel' routine just long enough to elevate their otherwise brilliant comedy out of the gutter and into the realm of Tootsie and Shakespeare in Love.
The story of Evan Almighty, is also, believe it or not, far better than that of Bruce Almighty. Here we get newly-elected Congressman Evan Baxter and his family: wife, Joan (Lauren Graham), sons Dylan (Johnny Simmons), Jordan (Graham Phillips), and Ryan (Jimmy Bennett) settling down to the excesses of their new life including a new Hummer and a stately home in Paradise Valley, VA. His staff includes spicy administrative assistant, Rita (Wanda Sykes), chief of staff Marty (John Michael Higgins), and fountain of knowledge Eugene (Jonah Hill—fresh off another great comedy that often stooped too low as well). On his very first day on Capitol Hill, after campaigning under the slogan of "change the world", Congressman Long (John Goodman—who should never play a bad guy) sets him up with a-better-than-he-deserves office and a 3,000 page bill that will allow for development on public land at little cost to the developers bringing his cronies even more money. Long wants Baxter to support the bill; and, of course, not wanting to lose an opportunity to establish himself, Marty advises Evan to jump on board. Shortly thereafter, however, Evan learns that God has other plans for him. The plan will be for him to build an ark. He supplies him with a copy of Ark Building for Dummies and a seemingly endless supply of special wood. At first, Evan tries to avoid the obvious, refuses to believe this is happening, and eventually must concede to God's plan for him at great peril to his political future and his family life. As animals and wood continue to show up, Evan seems to be sliding further and further away from reality, and Joan believes she and the children might be at risk. As for his political future, his never-ending beard growth seems to have placed him soundly on the path to censure and forced resignation from the Congress.
While the plot of this film is difficult to totally spoil given the trailer which reveals too many of the major plot points, I'll avoid giving more details here. I will say that while the outcome is expected and easy to predict in some ways, the magic of what happens and the way it makes you feel, really, avoid thinking about it all you like, is nonetheless real. The basic and fundamental notion is that we humans continue, maybe now more than ever, to need something to believe in. Be that God or be that each other's capacity for good, or that real good will triumph over corruption and callous government despite supposedly being by and of the people as per our great Constitution, we need something. More than needing something in which to put our faith, we need reminders and role models from and among our leaders that speak to us all serving a greater purpose than that to which our capitalistic economy seems to draw us. The complete purpose of our lives is NOT the accumulation of wealth and property but, rather, to serve each other and the well being of our fellow organic creatures and this glorious and bountiful planet upon which we miraculously survive. The film's deeper message, if you can get past the low-brow comedic devices is solemn, lovely, and appropriate for children of all ages. Each one of us, on any given day, might hear the calling be it from the universe, God, or whatever spirit of humanity one believes, to reach out and commit one random act of kindness, volunteer one hour a week to a community organization, or choose to do the right thing rather than the lazy or greed-inspired or selfish thing. Within each of us, there is the capacity for great good or enormous evil. The shade between these two sometimes shines a line too thin to see or know the difference. Yet, we have the choice. Many decades of upbringing in a nation that declares itself God-trusting on every piece of our capitalistic currency has taught me nonetheless that we do have a choice. The choice is not to worship the currency which bears faith in God or a higher power or some spirit of humanity; but, rather, to save, spend wisely, give generously to all in need, to plan for the future, to use it to protect the planet and preserve it for all future generations not just the next few. The cast, crew, writers, director, and effects people have created a worthy motion picture, in Evan Almighty, to remind us of this fundamental choice each of us has to make.
Talented acting, notably by the jovial and timeless Morgan Freeman whose gentle manner brings forth a spirit of God we might all be able to agree upon as just right. Steve Carell, when he's not being subjected to bird droppings and tool mishaps, lights the screen with a genuine sense he achieves by blending wit with humor in a way that escapes too many of his comedic colleagues. Just as he so brilliantly achieved in Little Miss Sunshine, here again, he creates a character with a fragile inner core despite a rugged exterior appearance. The special effects and the animals, too, were spectacular once again reminding us of the wizardry of these unsung heroes working behind the scenes to astound and amaze. In the end, though, this film's story is what makes it splash. Jaded and cynical, we have become a nation lost and preoccupied with scandal. We need new beacons to remind us of a greater purpose to which we might dedicate our lives.
The story of Evan Almighty, is also, believe it or not, far better than that of Bruce Almighty. Here we get newly-elected Congressman Evan Baxter and his family: wife, Joan (Lauren Graham), sons Dylan (Johnny Simmons), Jordan (Graham Phillips), and Ryan (Jimmy Bennett) settling down to the excesses of their new life including a new Hummer and a stately home in Paradise Valley, VA. His staff includes spicy administrative assistant, Rita (Wanda Sykes), chief of staff Marty (John Michael Higgins), and fountain of knowledge Eugene (Jonah Hill—fresh off another great comedy that often stooped too low as well). On his very first day on Capitol Hill, after campaigning under the slogan of "change the world", Congressman Long (John Goodman—who should never play a bad guy) sets him up with a-better-than-he-deserves office and a 3,000 page bill that will allow for development on public land at little cost to the developers bringing his cronies even more money. Long wants Baxter to support the bill; and, of course, not wanting to lose an opportunity to establish himself, Marty advises Evan to jump on board. Shortly thereafter, however, Evan learns that God has other plans for him. The plan will be for him to build an ark. He supplies him with a copy of Ark Building for Dummies and a seemingly endless supply of special wood. At first, Evan tries to avoid the obvious, refuses to believe this is happening, and eventually must concede to God's plan for him at great peril to his political future and his family life. As animals and wood continue to show up, Evan seems to be sliding further and further away from reality, and Joan believes she and the children might be at risk. As for his political future, his never-ending beard growth seems to have placed him soundly on the path to censure and forced resignation from the Congress.
While the plot of this film is difficult to totally spoil given the trailer which reveals too many of the major plot points, I'll avoid giving more details here. I will say that while the outcome is expected and easy to predict in some ways, the magic of what happens and the way it makes you feel, really, avoid thinking about it all you like, is nonetheless real. The basic and fundamental notion is that we humans continue, maybe now more than ever, to need something to believe in. Be that God or be that each other's capacity for good, or that real good will triumph over corruption and callous government despite supposedly being by and of the people as per our great Constitution, we need something. More than needing something in which to put our faith, we need reminders and role models from and among our leaders that speak to us all serving a greater purpose than that to which our capitalistic economy seems to draw us. The complete purpose of our lives is NOT the accumulation of wealth and property but, rather, to serve each other and the well being of our fellow organic creatures and this glorious and bountiful planet upon which we miraculously survive. The film's deeper message, if you can get past the low-brow comedic devices is solemn, lovely, and appropriate for children of all ages. Each one of us, on any given day, might hear the calling be it from the universe, God, or whatever spirit of humanity one believes, to reach out and commit one random act of kindness, volunteer one hour a week to a community organization, or choose to do the right thing rather than the lazy or greed-inspired or selfish thing. Within each of us, there is the capacity for great good or enormous evil. The shade between these two sometimes shines a line too thin to see or know the difference. Yet, we have the choice. Many decades of upbringing in a nation that declares itself God-trusting on every piece of our capitalistic currency has taught me nonetheless that we do have a choice. The choice is not to worship the currency which bears faith in God or a higher power or some spirit of humanity; but, rather, to save, spend wisely, give generously to all in need, to plan for the future, to use it to protect the planet and preserve it for all future generations not just the next few. The cast, crew, writers, director, and effects people have created a worthy motion picture, in Evan Almighty, to remind us of this fundamental choice each of us has to make.
Talented acting, notably by the jovial and timeless Morgan Freeman whose gentle manner brings forth a spirit of God we might all be able to agree upon as just right. Steve Carell, when he's not being subjected to bird droppings and tool mishaps, lights the screen with a genuine sense he achieves by blending wit with humor in a way that escapes too many of his comedic colleagues. Just as he so brilliantly achieved in Little Miss Sunshine, here again, he creates a character with a fragile inner core despite a rugged exterior appearance. The special effects and the animals, too, were spectacular once again reminding us of the wizardry of these unsung heroes working behind the scenes to astound and amaze. In the end, though, this film's story is what makes it splash. Jaded and cynical, we have become a nation lost and preoccupied with scandal. We need new beacons to remind us of a greater purpose to which we might dedicate our lives.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring Evan Almighty (2007)
Cast Members
Steve Carell
• Morgan Freeman • Lauren GrahamJohnny Simmons
• Graham Phillips • Jimmy BennettJohn Goodman
• Wanda Sykes • John Michael HigginsJonah Hill
• Molly ShannonDirector
Tom Shadyac
Screen Writer
Steve Oedekerk
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| Related DVD |
Evan Almighty (2007) Review-lite [150-word cap]
Were it not for some low-brow bird-dropping and tool mishap scenes, Evan Almighty would be an entirely splendid film. Terrific performances by Steve Carell and Morgan Freeman with a great supporting cast including John Goodman and Lauren Graham, phenomenal special effects including a cast of thousands of animals, all buoyed a story with a truly lovely and significant moral tale. The film is a dose of just what we need right now, as a society, to remind us of our real purpose in life and of the need for us to elect politicians into power that will strive to honor and uphold both our Constitutionally protected rights and values while simultaneously modeling good stewardship for our planet.
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