Oh, God!

This is a really wonderful film that is masterful in every way. George Burns joked that when they offered him this part that no one could have played it because no one was closer to God's age. However, he was nervous about playing it and consulted the greatest actors about how to do it. Let me explain this film, the two leads were one person (John Denver) who was well known as a singer but who had never acted before in his life and another (George) who at almost 80 had only one other acting credit (The Sunshine Boys). However, this unlikely duo made movie magic! It is a truly amazing accomplishment and a joy watching them together. This is a film that is as important today as it was when it came out almost a quarter of a century ago. We all need to realize God's love and his message and no one did a better job of giving that then George did in this wonderful film, especially in the end in the courtroom speech that he gives. This man had spent his life as just a comedian not as an actor, but he deserved another Oscar for his outstanding work in this wonderful film. Carl Reiner deserves kudos for his wonderful directing job and Terri Garr gives a great performance as the understanding wife as does Paul Sorvino as the corrupt evangilist (they picked a safe target). However, the cheers and handshakes belong to George Burns and John Denver alone!!!. They have both left us and we are the poorer for it, but I hope that both of them are having a wonderful time in Heaven!

Something tells me this film would work a lot better if it was shot today; and by that I don't mean a remake, but if somehow we could transport the cast and crew (Reiner, Burns, Denver, et al) to 2004, let them shoot the film, and release it, it would be the super sleeper smash hit of the decade. A remake would fall flat on its face.

The story is quasi-original. The notion of a higher or supreme being asking one of us mortals to do his bidding is nothing new, but to place the gentle and warm spin on it, and to take that legend out of its biblical era context, and place it in (what was then) contemporary times, is really a stroke of genius.

Burns plays a grandfatherly God who is concerned, though not wrathful. This God is not Cecil B. DeMille's fire-and-brimstone God from "The Ten Commandments." Nor is Burns' God the detached entity that is less hands on than God's foes in "The Exorcist" or "Omen" series. In "Oh God" we have a creator who wants to instill a little reassurement to Earthbound souls. Burns' character is one with a need that must be fulfilled. But Burns' God doesn't go about it by creating apocalyptic scenarios to threaten nor coax mankind into the task. Instead this God approaches the problem with a more thoughtful plan. Veteran Vaudevillian George Burns' does a superb job portraying the Almighty, and does so with sublime humor and grandfatherly frankness.

Denver portrays an honest grocery store manager whose sole purpose is to satisfy his customers. That is until George Burns beckons him hither. What's even more amazing is the fact that, to the best of my knowledge anyway, Denver gives us an exceptionally convincing performance but with little professional experience. The Jerry Landers character he portrays is honest, thoughtful, earnest and full of conviction. Denver lets his own character shine in this performance.

The real genius of this film is that the comedy is very sedate while still being funny. The film doesn't try to be something more than what it already is. A film with God as a character could've gone anywhere, but Reiner doesn't take too many liberties with the material at hand. Instead he keeps film focused and even keeled, while tossing in good humorous bits to keep up the levity. Even so, please be warned, the laughs are spaced out. This is not a film filled with wall to wall gags. Both humor and overall energy are kept low to drive home the storie's message.

This is in comparison to a recent "reincarnation" of the God theme/film in "Bruce Almighty," which has often been compared to Reiner's 1977 work by commentators on this website. I finally saw "Bruce Almighty" recently, and where I found sections of it humorous it really didn't hold a candle to "Oh God." The theme was selfish, the character was selfish, the overall feel was typical 90's corporate art, with Jim Carry's absurdities thrown in for poor measure. This is largely because "Bruce Almighty" is really a different film, with a different premise, and regrettably (though not unexpectedly) botches most of the affair. "Bruce Almighty" satisfies a juvenile curiosity. "Oh God" is a soothing uplift, and, by contrast, is the better film.

"Oh God" doesn't have any direct and explicit sexual references, there're no body function jokes, nor obvious and readable plot points nor plot holes, unlike a good number of today's films. There's no rap "song" at the end credits, nor cameo by some pop artist (other than Denver, who plays the lead), nor any product placement. Nor is there even any CGI (though it may've benefited from one or two CGI shots). "Oh God" a basic film with a timeless premise, and very simply message.

See "Oh God." It's food for the soul.

A very good movie with a nice message. It's not preachy, overly religious or anti-religious. It's more inspirational and shouldn't offend anyone.

George Burns is terrific as God taking the form of a kind old man. God (Burns) asks a man (John Denver) in the 1970s to relay His message to the world: that, despite the tough times, "it can work" if people get their act together. The man is put in the unenviable position of trying to convince people that he really is God's messenger. In the end, it's not about politics or who's right and who's wrong; it's a friendly reminder that we shape the world in which we live, and we can make it good again.

Carl Reiner's film seems like a fairly realistic (if comical) portrayal of the difficulties that would arise if God appeared to only one man in today's modern society. There's a satirical side to it. But the God in this film isn't concerned with who believes and who doesn't. He realizes He can't win over everybody, but He remains in good humor. He watches over the universe in a hands-off manner.

Personally I'm not very religious, but Burns is the kind of God I'd like. Great casting.

In terms of entertainment value, OH, GOD! might not be the *best* choice for a movie night, but I enjoyed it. I wouldn't want to watch it over and over again, but it's nice to check out once every so often. And I think it's definitely worth seeing once.

7/10

"Oh, God!" is similar in many ways to "Bruce Almighty," but for some reason the former has gotten little attention over the years while the latter was a hit. While "Bruce Almighty" has some funny moments, I think this one is far superior.

First of all, George Burns is amazing. Morgan Freeman's God in "Bruce Almighty" had a slightly ominous, don't-cross-me nature, but Burns' is a God you can completely trust. He is caring and optimistic, and wants the world to get better. He doesn't throw Jerry into a situation he can't handle; he is there for him the whole time. Plus he is just a really fun guy to be around. Who wouldn't want to believe in a God like that?

John Denver also does a great job. It is hard to believe he had no acting experience before this, because he is top-notch. He is a kind, honest guy, not a selfish jerk like Jim Carrey's Bruce Almighty. He is nervous about delivering God's message to the world, but perfectly willing to do it.

Unlike that other God movie, this one delivers a good message without getting annoyingly preachy, it is consistently funny from start to finish, it has a likable main character, and it features a God who is a friend, not an opponent. I think everyone could enjoy watching this, whether they are religious or not.

Oh, and on a completely irrelevant note, I think Carl Reiner's cameo (doing an impression of the portrait of Dorian Grey) is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. That scene alone is reason enough to watch this movie.

8/10 stars.

John Denver made his film debut with this wonderful wholesome comedy. He plays an ordinary supermarket worker who is honest and straightforward. He has a loving wife and 2 kids. God, out of the blue, picks him to spread the Word. Everyone is sceptical as Jerry Landers (Denver) tries to make believers out of them. George Burns was a perfect choice to play the Almighty. John Denver doesn't sing in this film, but still comes off as an honest (if somewhat naive) person. The car he drives is definitely a 70's relic (the Pacer, I miss those!). Watching the scenes with just Burns and Denver strikes me as sad because they are no longer with us. The film is not too preachy (a plus in my book) and puts just a hint of humor in it all (like the courtroom scene).