"EVAN ALMIGHTY"
(2007) (Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman) (PG)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Mild	Mild	Heavy	*Mild	Minor
Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Moderate	None	Moderate	None	Minor
Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Moderate	None	Moderate	Moderate	*Mild

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QUICK TAKE:

Comedy: A newly elected Congressman finds his personal and professional life disrupted when he gets the message from God to build an ark.

PLOT:

Buffalo TV news anchor Evan Baxter (STEVE CARELL) has just been elected to Congress, and thus moves to the suburbs of Virginia with his wife, Joan (LAUREN GRAHAM), and their three sons, Dylan (JOHNNY SIMMONS), Jordan (GRAHAM PHILLIPS), and Ryan (JIMMY BENNETT).

On Capitol Hill, the freshman congressman is served by executive assistant Rita (WANDA SYKES), chief of staff Marty (JOHN MICHAEL HIGGINS) and enthusiastic employee Eugene (JONAH HILL). They're all excited when Evan is chosen by powerful committee chairman Congressman Chuck Long (JOHN GOODMAN) to collaborate on a bill, and everything seems to be going his way to fulfill his campaign motto to make a change in the world.

But then God (MORGAN FREEMAN) comes calling, first through a series of seemingly coincidental signs, all of which lead to the Biblical story where God calls on Noah to build an ark. Evan thinks the stress of his new job has gotten the best of him, but when the signs continue and then God finally shows Himself, Evan realizes it's all too serious.

From that point on, and as his hair and beard start growing, animals start arriving two by two, and everyone thinks he's gone crazy or at least is having a severe midlife crisis, Evan starts building the ark.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?

If they're fans of the first film ("Bruce Almighty" - although this one is sans Jim Carrey) or anyone in the cast, they might.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG

For mild rude humor and some peril.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:

STEVE CARELL plays a former TV newscaster turned newly elected congressman who wants to spend time with his family, but finds himself wrapped up in his work. He initially doesn't believe God is who He says He is, but then goes with the flow, albeit kicking and screaming at times, in building the ark, and must contend with most everyone thinking he's crazy for doing so.

MORGAN FREEMAN plays God who takes a while, after dropping various hints, to inform Evan that he wants him to build an ark.

LAUREN GRAHAM plays Evan's wife who's concerned about what she perceives as his midlife crisis.

JOHNNY SIMMONS, GRAHAM PHILLIPS, and JIMMY BENNETT play Evan and Joan's kids who aren't happy their dad is always too busy to spend time with them, but end up helping him build the ark.

JOHN GOODMAN plays a committee chairman who's nice to Evan and wants him on his bill, but only to help him with his corrupt congressional doings.

WANDA SYKES plays Evan's executive assistant on Capitol Hill who's always quick with a sarcastic quip.

JOHN MICHAEL HIGGINS plays the office's Chief of Staff who's concerned about the change he sees in Evan.

JONAH HILL plays an enthusiastic young employee who's filled with vast knowledge about Evan and Congressional doings.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

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Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

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OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

The following is a brief summary of the content found in this PG-rated comedy. While no expletives are present, various colorful phrases (including some religious ones) are uttered, as is some non-explicit, but sexually related dialogue. A woman sees the male protagonist's full nudity (played for comedy), but our view of anything explicit is blocked.

A massive flood crashes through presumably empty homes and heads toward and then through a city, and that scene and a few others might be unsettling to the youngest of viewers. Some slapstick style material is also present, as is some tense family material, including a wife taking her kids to her mother's to get away from her husband who she thinks is having a breakdown.

Some of the exaggerated behavior on display might be enticing for some kids to imitate, while some bad attitudes are present (mainly from a corrupt congressman). Various instances of verbal and viewed crude humor occur, while some alcohol is present, and some comments are made about non-narcotics as if they were just that.

If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content.

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ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE

About the strange way Evan is acting, Rita sarcastically asks, "Are you on that Fen Phen?"

A real estate agent opens a bottle of champagne and takes a swig (seen from a distance).

About Evan's long hair, beard, and the way he's acting, Rita sarcastically asks, "What, are you shooting up Rogaine?"

Evan and Joan have wine in front of them with dinner.

About the way Evan is acting, Joan asks if he's on something.

BLOOD/GORE

We see a dog stand up from defecating on Evan's lawn, and we see the excrement on the grass.

Seeing two dogs in his yard, Evan tells them that when they're on his lawn, to keep it in the pot (presumably referring to defecating).

Two large birds defecate on Evan's windshield, and his wipers only smear that across the glass.

We see bird excrement land on Evan's suit.

A great deal of bird excrement lands all over Congressman Long.

A reporter asks, "With all these species, what's being done with the feces?"

After a llama spits some gooey liquid onto Congressman Long, Rita jokes that if that's what comes out of the front, she doesn't want to know what comes out the other side.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE

Evan chooses wood taken from the rain forest for the building of his cabinets in his new house (after being told where it's from).

We learn that Congressman Long is corrupt, cut corners, and is endangering national lands just to make a profit. He gets mad and tries to get even when Evan's no longer a team player, and threatens to have his ark demolished.

Various bystanders heckle Evan and his ark plan.

FRIGHTENING SCENES

Younger kids may find some or all of the following as unsettling or suspenseful, but it's unlikely many other viewers will have the same reaction.

While driving, Evan reacts adversely to two tarantulas crawling on him, and some snakes slithering along him.

Various people panic when various wild animals enter a Congressional hearing room.

We hear that Congressman Long is going to have Evan's ark destroyed, and then see a crane with a wrecking ball arrive.

We see waves lapping at the top of a large dam that then breaks open, sending a massive flood across the land toward Evan's subdivision. Everyone there panics and boards the ark that's then swept away by the floodwaters. The ark crashes through Evan's house, while the raging waters rip through others. Everyone onboard the ark then holds on as the floodwaters carry it toward Washington, DC, including over a tall waterfall. When they approach a stone bridge on the Potomac River, Evan asks for help and a huge wave lifts them above that and careens down the national mall until the ark crashes right on the doorstep of the U.S. Capitol. It's presumed many people are swept away by the floods (and wounded or killed), but that's never made clear one way or the other.

GUNS/WEAPONS

About a bunch of birds in Evan's office, Rita asks if he wants her to get her BB gun.

Various miscellaneous cops carry or wear guns as sidearms.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR

Phrases: "I felt like that old Indian in front of all that garbage" (about having a lone tear go down one's cheek), "This is so cool," "A little freaky," "I hate to break up your weenie roast" (about hot dog talk), an incomplete "What the..?" "This conversation is a little thing I like to call over," "Nutcase," "Here's the skinny," "Freaked out," "I'm freaking out," "Are you on that Fen Phen?" "Sheep!" "Why do you sound like Evan Baxter but look like a Bee Gee?" (said about Evan with long hair and a beard), "What, are you shooting up Rogaine?" "You have no idea," "Are you freaking out on me?" "Holy moly," "This is so totally awesome," "I hope this isn't our last supper," "You're busted," "You have a ponytail on your face," "You're not Whoopi (Goldberg)," "The weirdo with a beard-o," "Jackass," "Jerks," "Let's finish this sucker," "With all these species, what's being done with the feces?" "You're still sucking up," "Awkward," "You fool," "I'm going to be so pissed" and "We're gonna need a bigger boat."

Some kids may be enticed to imitate any or all of Evan's exaggerated behavior, mannerisms, and/or moves (such as retrained, but quirky, self-celebratory dance moves, etc.).

We see Evan trying to cut his nose hair via various means, including shooting shaving cream up there and then using a razor.

While Congressman Long talks to him with his back turned, Evan tries to get some aquarium fish to stop following him (including making faces, whacking the aquarium, etc.).

JUMP SCENES

None.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE)

A moderate amount of overly dramatic and some suspenseful music plays in the film.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE)

None.

PROFANITY

At least 1 incomplete, possible "s" word (although it could just as easily have been the start of the word "shoot" or any others that start with "sh"), 4 uses of "Oh my God" and 1 use each of "By God" and "God" as exclamations.

SEX/NUDITY

A stray dog thrusts its nose hard several times to Evan's clothed crotch.

Joan shows a little cleavage.

One of Evan's boys mentions an Argentine lake duck that has a penis as long as its body. When Congressman Long later asks Evan if he knows anything about animals, Evan repeats that fact to him.

When Congressman Long suspiciously asks what's up with Evan's sudden long hair and beard, Evan lies and says that he's just trying to spruce up the love life (with Joan).

A dog once again bumps its snout against Evan's clothed crotch, causing him to sit up and bump his head on part of the ark.

We see Evan out of the shower, shirtless, with just a towel around his waist.

Joan shows a little cleavage.

We see a magazine article that mentions the "metrosexual man."

Evan goes out to get the newspaper and then realizes (not through his doing) that he's fully nude. A female mail carrier sees him that way, but shrubbery and such block our view of his crotch area when he comes out and then (in a panic) goes back into the house (although we can otherwise tell he's fully nude).

SMOKING

None.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES

Joan says that she prays their family will become closer.

Evan's sons are disappointed that he has to work rather than go on a hike with them, with one saying, "New house, same old dad."

Joan begins to worry about Evan and the decisions he seems to be making (even when it's God doing some of them for him).

Joan tells Evan that the way he's acting is scaring her, and that she needs her husband back and their kids need their father back.

Evan returns home to find Joan leaving with their kids, saying they're going to her mother's place.

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT

God, and the Noah and the ark story.

Joan says that she prays their family will become closer.

God's statement that whatever He does, He does for us.

The comment that the way to change the world is one random act of kindness at a time.

We see a magazine article that mentions the "metrosexual man."

God stating that He doesn't answer prayers directly, but rather gives people the opportunity to showcase what they desire (He doesn't give people courage, but allows them to be courageous, etc.).

VIOLENCE

A stray dog thrusts its nose hard several times to Evan's clothed crotch.

Evan feints and falls hard to the floor.

During an ark building montage, Evan drops a log that lands on his foot, falls off things, bashes his fingers with hammers, and accidentally hits himself in the crotch with something.

A dog once again bumps its snout against Evan's clothed crotch, causing him to sit up and bump his head on part of the ark.

We see waves lapping at the top of a large dam that then breaks open, sending a massive flood across the land toward Evan's subdivision. Everyone there panics and boards the ark that's then swept away by the floodwaters. The ark crashes through Evan's house, while the raging waters rip through others. Everyone onboard the ark then holds on as the floodwaters carry it toward Washington, DC, including over a tall waterfall. When they approach a stone bridge on the Potomac River, Evan asks for help and a huge wave lifts them above that and careens down the national mall until the ark crashes right on the doorstep of the U.S. Capitol. It's presumed many people would have been swept away by the floods (and wounded or killed), but that's never made clear one way or the other.

Reviewed June 16, 2007 / Posted June 22, 2007

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