I have chosen to analyse Bruce Almighty for my homework.
Genre
The genre of Bruce Almighty is comedy as shown through clips such as the dog sitting on the toilet and Bruce miming 'I've got the power'. It is also suggested through the film being completely unrealistic - a ordinary man gaining God's powers.
The film could also be considered of the fantasy genre. The fantasy genre generally contains supernatural or magical films and as this film is all about a man gaining supernatural powers, it could also be fantasy.
Narrative
The film follows a conventional 3-part structure: equilibrium, disruption and restoration.
Equilibrium
Bruce is an ordinary human who has a girlfriend. He is a television news reporter. He feels rather bored in his life and feels unappreciated for what he does.
Disruption
Bruce does not get the promotion which he has been working for and complains how unfair God is. God then contacts Bruce and gives him his powers to see if he can do a better job than he is doing. Bruce starts to hear voices in his head and he is told by God that these are prayers and will continue if not answered. He sets up a ‘prayer email account’ and answers ‘yes to all’, thinking that this would make everyone happy. However, there is an outburst because of this. Thousands of people win the lottery, each receiving only $17 each. Bruce is also caught by his girlfriend kissing another woman so his girlfriend leaves him.
Restoration
Bruce feels very depressed and walks onto a highway, asking God to take back his powers. He is hit by a truck and ends up with God. He assumes he is dead and asks God to find his girlfriend a man who she will be happy with. God agrees and revives Bruce, putting him back with his girlfriend. Bruce and his girlfriend become engaged and the film ends.
Characters
Bruce - false hero. The audience think that he is the hero because the main focus is on him, but it turns out that he is not.
God - hero/donor/helper. He saves Bruce and gets Bruce and his girlfriend's relationship back on track. He also give Bruce his powers and guides him along the way.
Bruce's Girlfriend - the princess. The person that Bruce ends up getting engaged to.
Evan Baxter - villain. The person who gets the promotion instead of Bruce, making him complain to God.
