I'm behind with my alerts, I will catch up, please bear with me, Heather :o)
I'm behind with my alerts, I will catch up, please bear with me, Heather :o)
Member since:27.03.2003
Reviews:165
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I wouldn’t say I was a big fan of Billy 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 a look at.
So off I went to Video Drive In last weekend and hired it out whilst thinking to myself it’s only £3 to hire and if 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, he finds himself forced to stay with his
long suffering ex wife Jules (Wendy Hughes), Gerry and his daughter Rebecca (Emily Browning) until his claim is settled with the insurance company, much to his and Jules disgust.
He is gutted to learn that the insurance company are refusing to pay out saying he was not covered as lightening comes under “An Act Of God”, he then discovers that is commonplace for insurance companies to hide behind this excuse.
Along with his brother David (Colin Friels) he goes out to a restaurant gets sloshed and makes an egit of himself not forgetting in usually Billy Connelly style to upset a few folk along the way.
Coincidentally, a lady he has upset at the restaurant turns out to be a journalist who happens to write a column for a local title, which Steve finds out the next day when he’s the subject of her latest slating.
Gerry himself is baffled as to how the insurance companies can claim such a thing as an “Act Of God” and after consulting with his dog “Arthur”, decides to sue all the major religions that he believes to be God’s representative’s.
What follows is hysterical courtroom battle criticising the global insurance industry, the media and of course the religions for letting the insurance companies use God’s name to get away with this clause for so long.
Different churches reactions are very interesting indeed and at a guess I would say in real life they would not be happy with how they were portrayed but it does get you thinking about the income of religion worldwide.
Some would find this film to be blasphemous, others will find it hysterical but no doubt everyone will be thrilled by the rebellious feel good aspect of taking large money making organisations such as insurance companies to pieces for the whole word to see what they are about.
I feel I have to mention the cinema photography within the film; the realistic storm and cloud scenes as well as the views of the Australian Coastline are worth watching the film alone, really stunning, managing to capture to perfection. There was no soundtrack which I feel would have added greatly to the whole tension of the film.
Director Mark Joffe (Spotswood, Cosi) and writers John Clark and Don Watson are to be applauded here for the sheer humour with which this was carried off.
The performances by all were not exactly outstanding although Billy Connelly and Judy Davis were convincing although I don’t think they’ll be invited along to the Oscar’s this year.
Now compare that with Billy’s performance in The Debt Collector, a movie I seen a few years ago in which Billy was absolutely fantastic and extremely convincing and “The Man Who Sued God” would be blown right out of the water, if you’ll pardon the pun.
Because of the strong language this film has been classified as a 15 certificate and quite right too, the language is typical Billy Connelly, the length of the film itself is 97 minutes but does seem longer after watching, some scenes seem really drawn out which did annoy me slightly but on the whole I enjoyed it although I wouldn’t rush to watch it again and I certainly don’t intend to add to my collection, the DVD is a bit disappointing as it does not seem to contain any extras so if you insist upon buying, it would be better to invest in the VHS format which you can purchase for around a tenner.
Thanks for reading, take care, Heather:)
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Director: Gareth Carrivick - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Kathryn Drysdale, Sheridan Smith, Natalie Casey, Will Mellor, Ralf Little
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I saw this film at the weekend, thought it was funny, but i'm so used to watch bilyy in standup i wasn't keen on his acting. Vrilliant review tho maddie x
CarolB 16.01.2004 12:07
I found this great fun and not blasphemous. It wasn't the greatest of films, but it was a good giggle. However, BC does get on my nerves! But he acted well. Carol
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: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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 God [DVD] [2003]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78495972.jpg "The Man Who Sued God [DVD] [2003]")
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