The Man Who Sued God (2001)

How sad is this?

Good movie but grossly overrated

A Major Disappointment

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Steve Myers was a good lawyer who quit his practice to become a lousy fisherman. His fishing boat is struck by lighting and explodes to pieces. When he tries to claim insurance, the insurance company denies it on the grounds that they don't cover 'Acts of God'.Frustrated at not getting anywhere with the insurance companies, he files a suit against God, naming church officials as representatives of God. This gets the attention of the media and escalates the drama further. It gets to a point that the church representatives have to either compensate for his loss or deny the existence of God.It's a funny and creative premise, which was expanded and revamped in 2012's Hindi remake 'OMG- Oh My God'. Despite a lackluster finish, it is thoroughly enjoyable.

It's too easy to dismiss The Man Who Sued God as 'just' a lighthearted romantic comedy. Any genre can be elevated to the level of genius, if it's done this well.Starting with a brilliant premise - challenging the stupid 'act of God' terminology used by the insurance industry - this film explores the philosophical ramifications. Is there a God, and is He responsible for random misfortunes? Does organized religion really believe what it preaches? And how does it respond to a logical, even legal, challenge to its dogma? At the same time, the film follows an eccentric but extremely likable character, played by the inimitable Billy Connolly, as he seeks his own form of redemption. And it adds a quirky, yet equally likable news reporter, whose views are drastically different from Connolly's.It's a formula, to be sure, but it's worked out brilliantly. (One comparison that comes to mind is Adam's Rib, which uses the law and some very witty dialog to explore marital relationships.) And the ending is absolutely perfect, resolving all the questions with just the right mixture of theology and enlightened common sense. Instead of a heavy-handed Hollywood resolution, we get something more delicate and subtle, but also far more satisfying.The Man Who Sued God manages a difficult feat - being both hilariously funny and deeply thought-provoking. It's a near-perfect film, and a highly enjoyable one as well.

Although this was never breathtaking or outstanding it had it's merits before the contrived ending. Actually the first half hour is watchable though full of clichés, but Billy Connolly makes it work. When he sues god it actually makes sense at first. But when the courtroom drama really begins, nothing makes sense anymore. The exchanged dialogue adds no new insight and the final speech by Connolly is nothing but bad. It's as if the screenwriter found an interesting question but couldn't think of an answer.SPOILER"I cannot sue god, cause god is love." What? The film goes right down the toilet. Why should anyone watch this?

I really did enjoy this movie, Billy Connelly is both hilarious and thought-provoking, and to me he was the perfect choice for this part. There was nothing I really disliked about this story, although I did wonder at the end what happened to the dog... Definately worth watching.8/10