17th October, 2007

DAVID ADAMS

Evan Almighty (G)

In A Word (or two): Treading water

REFRESHMENTS WITH FRIENDS: Evan Baxter (Steve Carell), takes a lemonade break with baboons helping him build an ark. PICTURE: Ralph Nelson Copyright: © 2007 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. "The theology in this film is very dubious. But that's not to say there aren't some thought-provoking ideas here among the general silliness."

It’s a somewhat ludicrous modern-day take on the Noah’s Ark story, but provided you can put aside it’s somewhat pushy environmental agenda and at times very dubious theology, Evan Almighty just manages to keep its head above water.

The sequel to Bruce Almighty, Evan Almighty follows the story of former TV anchorman and now newly elected congressman, Evan Baxter (played by Steve Carell of the US version of The Office fame).

Elected on a platform of ‘changing the world’ Baxter is just settling into his new job - and his family into a new house - when God (Morgan Freeman) calls them out on a prayer they’ve prayed asking to become a closer family. He wants Baxter to become a modern-day Noah and build an ark.

But it’s not because God intends wiping out mankind. Rather it’s all part of a plan to thwart nasty Congressman Chuck Long (John Goodman) and his cronies, bent on destroying the natural environment God created all to line their own pockets.

As aforementioned, the theology in this film is very dubious. But that's not to say there aren't some thought-provoking ideas here among the general silliness. Evan Almighty illustrates, for example, just how much God was asking Noah to step out when He told him to build the ark and, along the same lines, what it really does mean to trust God. It also provides a good opportunity to consider afresh the sheer miracle of the story of the ark.

Worth a look but don’t expect it to rock your world either in the deep and meaningful stakes or the humour stakes.

SEE THE SIGHT ON THE SCREEN ARCHIVES FOR MORE...