... The reason I pre-ordered a copy for £13.99 was because the film stars Billy Connolly, one of my favourite comedians of all time.
The plot to The man Who Sued God is basic and the title to the film gives a lot away! Billy Connelly plays a former lawyer, Steve Myers. Rather than stay in the ... Read review
The Man Who Sued Goddefies simple definition, managing to be several types of movie all at ... more
the same time. As a theological-romantic-comedy-drama, it's in a somewhat unique category all of its own. Perhaps only Billy Connolly could carry off a central r...
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The Man Who Sued God is a boisterous romantic comedy about a man who decides to sue God ... more
after his fishing boat is destroyed by lightening and his insurance company refuses to pay out, declaring it an act of God.A hilarious, heart-warming tale of one ma...
The Man Who Sued Goddefies simple definition, managing to be several types of movie all at ... more
the same time. As a theological-romantic-comedy-drama, it's in a somewhat unique category all of its own. Perhaps only Billy Connolly could carry off a central r...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
The Man Who Sued Goddefies simple definition, managing to be several types of movie all at ... more
the same time. As a theological-romantic-comedy-drama, it's in a somewhat unique category all of its own. Perhaps only Billy Connolly could carry off a central role that combines slapstick with raging anger, puppy-dog disappointment and strong language delivered in his distinctive accent. These facets of performance are used and abused in a tale that feels like it really ought to be based on a true story, but isn't.Connolly's life as a fisherman is sunk by the destruction of his boat by a bolt of lightning. The insurance company won't pay up because it falls under that age-old excuse of being an "Act of God". So Connolly decides to sue the deity. The premise raises issues about how the law and the church have apparently conspired together. But at heart the film is a simple character study, so any pondering on legal or theological implications will have to be done on your own time; the screen is occupied with family issues, underhand dealings and a maybe-maybe romance with Judy Davis. Big Yin fans at least will enjoy the Connolly's composite character. --Paul Tonks
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Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Production Year: 2004 - Comedy - Director: John Hay - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jimi Mistry, Kate Miles, Dougray Scott
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Advantages: Funny at times, good dialogue, Billy Connolly Disadvantages: Predictable plot, no DVD extras
I had never heard of the film and hadn't seen it advertised, I merely stumbled across it on the homepage of Play247.com a couple of weeks ago. The reason I pre-ordered a copy for £13.99 was because the film stars Billy Connolly, one of my favourite comedians of all time.
The plot to The man Who Sued God is basic and the title to the film gives a lot away! Billy Connelly plays a former lawyer, Steve Myers. Rather than stay in the rat ... ...a storm witnessed by Connolly the boat is struck by lightening and sinks without a trace, leaving Myers with a loan to pay and no boat to earn any sort of living. A claim is submitted to his insurance company but quickly knocked back due to the sinking of his boat being "An act of God".
Without adding any spoilers to the actual film Myers returns to the city after deciding to take legal action against all the major religions ... more
I had never heard of the film and hadn't seen it advertised, I merely stumbled across it on the homepage of Play247.com a couple of weeks ago. The reason I pre-ordered a copy for £13.99 was because the film stars Billy Connolly, one of my favourite comedians of all time.
The plot to The man Who Sued God is basic and the title to the film gives a lot away! Billy Connelly plays a former lawyer, Steve Myers. Rather than stay in the rat race and deal with the stresses and strains of city life he moves to a quiet backwater be closer to his daughter who lives with his ex-wife and new husband.
Myers has convinced his ex-wife's new husband to use his caravan park as security on a loan for $100,000 to purchase a fishing boat so that he can kick back and take things easier.
During a storm witnessed by Connolly the boat is struck by lightening and sinks without a trace, leaving Myers with a loan to pay and no boat to earn any sort of living. A claim is submitted to his insurance company but quickly knocked back due to the sinking of his boat being "An act of God".
Without adding any spoilers to the actual film Myers returns to the city after deciding to take legal action against all the major religions and insurance company on the premise that for it to be an "Act of God", then surely they must have to prove that God actually exists. The remainder of the film revolves around the ensuing court battle, the growing love interest between Myers and Anna Redmond (played by Judy Davis), and the influence the media, big business and religion have on the public in general. Personally I thought this was a complete dig at insurance companies in general with an attempt at making it humorous.
The film is set on location in Australia. The opening to the film shows how tranquil and peaceful life is in the back of beyond in Australia and the sets, costume and special effects whilst not dazzling do stand out well considering this is an independent production. This film does however stand out as being non-Hollywood.
The performances from all involved were OK. None of them set the world on fire however Oscar nominations won't be knocking on the doors of these actors shortly. The only performance that stood out for me was that of Billy Connolly. I've only ever seen his stand-up material but he surprisingly has starred in a number of movies roles. If I had to summarise his performance in this film I would say he was outstanding in comparison to everyone else and was like a shining beacon of hope in what wasn't the best of films. Connolly captures the mood and with his harsh Scottish accent he delivers lines and curses amazingly well. His performance alone rescues the film from the predictable mess it could have been. He adds warmth, sensitivity and some extremely comedic moments as only Billy Connolly can.
My main gripe with the screenplay and actors used is the fact that Billy Connolly and his love interest Judy Davis have absolutely no onscreen chemistry between them and it shows. They looked like they wanted to be in the room with each other as much as I wanted my last flu jab (I'm scared of needles).
The film had no soundtrack to speak of and didn't have any moments where a soundtrack was even remotely needed to build an air of tension or to lead the viewer onto an oncoming scene however the film has been beautifully shot, the picture being superb, long sweeping views of the oncoming storm and capturing everything perfectly.
I bought this film thinking it was going to be as funny as some of Billy Connolly's stand-up material. The Daily Star said "Billy is hilarious". They lied, that is unless Alan Frank who writes for the Daily Star is in fact Pamela Stephenson! Billy was not hilarious but he did have moments were he made me giggle to myself.
This film will not have you laughing out loud but it will make you chuckle if you're a fan of Billy Connolly. Rated 15 as the film contains brief periods throughout of strong language and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under this age purely because it is strong language.
The Man Who Sued God is a cute film that flows from start to finish but some will find it too far fetched and predictable.
I've rate this DVD two stars and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. If you want to watch this film, either rent it first or buy the video for only £9.99 as the DVD version does not contain any extras whatsoever. There is the usual chapter selection but nothing else.
It's been added to my collection, but I feel robbed!
ONLY RECOMMENDED TO HARDCORE BILLY CONNOLLY FANS
One thing you will find yourself doing throughout this film is pointing at the screen saying "didn't he/she used to be in Neighbours/Home & Away/Shortland Street/Flying Doctors/Sons & Daughters (Delete as applicable)"
Advantages: Funny and entertaining Disadvantages: Predictable ending
...Connolly, in fact most of the time I find myself cringing at the fact he portrays us Scot’s to be a bit on the mental side, I don’t go out of my way to watch him but if I do happen to come across him, I do happen to find myself laughing even though I try my best not to.
So when I heard he was starring in a new comedy film “The Man Who Sued God” I didn’t bother about it until a few friends had told me it was worth having ... ...I don’t like it what the hell I’ll switch it off.
Starring Billy Connelly as Steve Myers, a former Lawyer who opted out of the rat race and decided to live on a boat, which he would also use to earn a living from fishing, he manages to convince his ex wife’s new partner Gerry (Bille Brown) to put his Caravan Park up as security against a loan for $150,000 to purchase the boat.
When smart ass Steve’s boat is struck by lightening, ...
herby30 09.01.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Man Who Sued God (DVD)
Advantages: Billy Connolly and a sterling performance Disadvantages: Possibly not to everbodys taste
Although the concept of a act of god null and voiding your insurance claim may seem ludicrous to many people, well apparently it can. In 2001 universal studios decided that they would produce a film to outline this strange but true fact. Although I suppose being a rather touchy subject to some they decided it would be a comedy, with a kind of serious undertone of course. I mean think about it, to counteract this claim you would have to prove that ... ...decided to get out of the rat race and become a fisherman, understandable of course. Well everything is as he wants it, that is until one day his boat is struck by a bolt of lightening and blown to bits. Never mind he thinks I am comprehensively insured, so contacts his insurance company for what should be a simple claim. What he didn't realise is that his loss would be classed as an act of god and therefore they will not be paying out. So the story ...
KRISPY13 18.12.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Man Who Sued God (DVD)
...and it was a disappointment.
The concept is a good one. Billy Connelly plays a lawyer [Steve Myers], who has left the rat race, borrowed money from his ex-wife’s partner to buy a boat, and is now fishing for a living. Myers’ boat is struck by lightning and destroyed during a storm which he witnesses. This leaves Myers with a loan to repay and no way of making a living. When he tries to claim on his insurance they use the Act of God clause to get ... ...crusade, with the help of journalist Anna Redmond [played by Judy Davis], to prove how wrong this clause is. It would be useless to sue the insurance company as he would get nowhere and so he decides to sue God, well, the church as God’s representatives. The rest of the film is taken up with the court case and Myers’ inevitable reassessment of his own life and values.
The only actor who does anything like a good job in this film is Billy Connelly. ...
princesslaura 14.05.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Man Who Sued God (DVD)
Advantages: Billy Connolly Disadvantages: Slightly weak, unusual casting
...story by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a rather interesting take on the classic "Act of God" clause that is the curse of so many insurance policies.
The film is a low-budget Australian production, so to say I'm a little confused as to why Billy appears in it would be an understatement. Billy is Scottish. His brother, ex-wife, daughter and every other character in the film is Australian. Equally, Billy is the only really big name to appear ... ...it is a good film. The plot is quite plausible and captures the imagination, and there are some very funny moments that combine simple slapstick and Billy's superb way with words. Including many occurances of the 'f' word. But hey, you would expect nothing less from the man. The film is deliberately thought-provoking, challenging many religious concepts, as well as challenging the 'Act of God' clause. After all, if God exists, then his actions should ...
ianpay 25.07.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Man Who Sued God (DVD)
Advantages: Billy Connely as an "almost" disciplined actor. Disadvantages: Not the stand up side splitting laugh you might think.
...purpose other than to challenge the censors to say he could'nt do it. Billy of course did and made himself extremely sucessful into the bargain.
The DVD, "The man who sued God" is almost the perfect platform and story line, for Billy to show that he possesses acting skills well above average and suits his character, allowing him to deride authority and poke fun at institutions that need to be brought down to earth from time to time.
The film whilst ... ...with laughter, it is not the stand up Billy that most people know, whether you love or loathe him.
Billy's performance is a class above the rest of the cast and really does show that when required this stand up Bafoon can apply himself to serious work whilst remaining comic and entertaining, when called upon to do so.
I enjoyed the film, which could be rated as family entertainment, although it does contain some moderately strong language in places, ...
Callahan 07.05.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Man Who Sued God (DVD)
The story of Steve whose fishing boat is destroyed by lightning. When his insurance company decide not to pay out saying it was an 'act of God', he decides to sue God...
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK; UNIVERSAL MUSIC OPERATIONS
Release date
01/12/2003
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
820 954 0
Barcode
5050582095401
Composer
David Bridie
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
DVD Description
The insurance company won't pay out when a man's fishing boat is destroyed by lightning--what they call an act of God. The inimitable Billy Connolly plays the man who sets about fighting the system in this irreligious romantic comedy.
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