Heaven help us

Bruce Almighty

Director: Tom Shadyac

Cast: Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Baker Hall

Cert: 12.

It isn't easy being a comedian who consistently annoys more than he amuses; but that's the Carrey we have come to know - and not like.

Carrey is a comedian who opts for the manic and the twisted faces and isn't at all funny, even when he gets to play God - where you might reasonably expect him to have all the best lines and bits of action - he fails to enthuse us.

Here, then, he plays a down-table TV reporter - the sort who is given the 'cats-up-trees' stories - with ambitions. When his ambitions are frustrated he blames God, and God - a little miffed at being so blamed - gives him the power for a day.

God, by the way, is played by Morgan Freeman, in a white suit and with a good collection of sharp one-liners. Carrey's girlfriend is played by Jennifer Aniston, who is merely there to give us a treat.

Shadyac directed Carrey in the desperate-to-please Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, which wasn't funny either.

In only a couple of his films has Carrey managed to contain himself to produce half-decent serious roles but having returned to comedy he leaves you with a strong desire to feel the width of his neck.

Star Rating: 2/5