Oh, God!
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Movie Reviews of Oh, God!
Movie Review: George Burns as "God".
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a wonderful family film for all ages from 0 to 100. Seniors will enjoy this film as well. Oh God! is brought to you by Jerry Weintraub and Carl Reiner.
Jerry (John Denver) works at a grocery store. When he gets home to his wife, Bobbie, (Teri Garr) and kids (Moosie Drier, Rachel Longaker), he received in the mail an invitation from God to meet him at said place in Room 2700 at 11:00am.
In a leaf of lettuce, he finds another note from God.
He goes all the way to the 27th floor, opens the door to 2700 and sees an intercom and a chair. God is speaking to him, but reminds him He can't be seen. Later, he speaks to Jerry over the car radio that he wants Jerry to spread the word that God is alive.
Jerry tries to convience his wife, but she is doubtful that her husband has heard God. Later that evening, while Jerry is in the shower, God speaks to him again.
God wants Jerry to come out of the shower, but says he is naked. God says, "You think I don't know what you got?" Jerry comes out of the shower and its God in person (George Burns). The movie continues to be really cute.
Also in the cast: George Furth, newscaster Jerry Dunphy, Mario Machado, William Daniels, Carl Reiner, Dinah Shore, Zane Buzby, Barry Sullivan, Jeff Corey, Donald Pleasence, Barnard Hughes, Ralph Bellamy, David Ogden Stiers, Titos Vandis.
George Burns was 80/81 when he did this film and he lived to be 100 + 49 days passing March 8, 1996. In 1983, George Burns wrote the book, How to Live to Be 100, and he certainly proved it right.
John Denver was a popular, wholesome folk singer and songwriter. He was 32/33 when he did this film. He died unexpectedly October 12, 1997 when his experimental Long-EZ aircraft he was piloting crashed. He was 53.
DVD is in watchable wide-screen. Audio commentary in "Special Features" includes Teri Garr, Jerry Weintraub, Carl Reiner, Larry Gelbart.
Followed by the sequels all with George Burns as "God":
Oh God! Book II (1980)
Oh, God! You Devil (1984)
Update: They might bring back "Oh God!" in 2012, this time with Betty White. Jerry Weintraub is returning as producer with R.J. Louis.
Movie Review: Compelling View of a Very Personable God
Summary: 5 Stars
When granted an interview with God, John Denver - an assistant manager at Food World, thinks that it is a practical joke by one of his friends. When the invitation turns up again in an unexpected place, it gets his attention - even though he doesn't believe in God. George Burns plays wonderfully as God and the ensuing scenes where he convinces Denver that he is who he says he is have an enduring and endearing quality. His message is simple. God is alive. God cares. We have been given everything we need to make it work - and it can, if we want it to. Convincing the world, however, is another matter. From the religious editor at the LA Times who thinks Denver is just another fruitcake to Denver's boss at Food World who is offended that Denver would suggest that God would pick an unbelieving assistant manager instead of him, a man who has prayed with Billy Graham, no less, all the personalities come out. After an appearance on Dinah Shore, spaced out weirdos show up on his lawn and harass his kids and wife. Finally, a panel of religious experts agree to give Denver a set of questions that he could not possibly answer (they are written in Aramaic). After completing the questions, Denver delivers his package and a few choice words from God to a stereotypical televangelist (aka "God's Own Quarterback" - having delivered the benediction at this year's Superbowl). The film finally culminates in a courtroom scene where Burns, as God, gives a powerful delivery.
This film has some of the best writing. Burns has many humorous lines - it IS a comedy - but he also has some pretty profound and meaningful lines. In an obvious reference to the film The Exorcist, he comments on how easy it is for people to believe in the devil. But not God. He says that what we have here is some of his best work, that we should take care of it and appreciate it. He says that he knows how hard it can be in these troubled times to believe in God but, if it helps, we should know that he believes in us.
Movie Review: Burns's God is Great
Summary: 5 Stars
When George Burns played God for the first time, as the story was told, he asked Carl Reiner (the director of Oh God) how he should play God...Reiner said "George sing me a song" Burns did as his director asked and after he was finished, he said "Now play GOD that way."
I liked this commentary on religion. Oh God is a simple comedy. The characters have little depth, but if they did-it would take away from the lightheartness this film has. This film has a message-its simple and direct-LOVE EACH OTHER.It doesn't smack you in the face with it, but it does satire those pompous relgious leaders and preachers who wear $1000 rolexs and ask for the poor to up their donations (Are you listening Oral Roberts?)
Burns plays the holy one with a sense of hindsight wisdom and awe, similar to Morgan Freeman in Bruce Almighty. First time actor John Denver seem national, you never would have known it was his first film role. Terri Garr who plays Denver's wife does steal every scene she is in, too bad none are with Burns's God. Carl Reiner direction with Larry Gelbart's script is light and yet you can see all of us within this piece
Now to the extras. the trailers to all three Oh God movies. The audio commentary of Actress Terri Garr, Screen writer Larry Gelbart, Producer Jerry Weintraub and Director Carl Reiner give this film an insight into what makes this comedy so light. and also gives history of this movies. One cute story is before Reiner was involved in the movie, It was offered to Mel Brooks to play God (I am not kidding-hear it yourself!).
So for light family fare, this religious message wont over power you and you may have a good time..and IF NOT, GOD MAY STRIKE YOU DOWN!
Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD
Movie Review: Thanks to John Denver, Oh, God! is oh so funny!
Summary: 5 Stars
Hi. I'm Frank, and I'll be spellin' for Zaggy today while he watches today's local football matchups on the big-screen TV at the pizza parlor next door. For this review I've decided to go over one of my all-time fave movies, "Oh, God!" It features my all-time fave singer John Denver as he's helped out by God (George Burns, who even at 80-somethin' years old still has it!). Hey, didja know that John Denver's real name is Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.? And he was born in Roswell, N.M. about four years before that alleged UFO crash! Coincidence, or conspiracy? I don't know myself...Whoops, where was I...? Oh yeah, I really like this flick `cuz it's got John Denver in it and stuff. He's supposed to become a new prophet for the almighty in the modern world, and with the help of the Main Man, somehow manages to do so, although in a reluctant and somewhat blundering manner. Boy, who knew ol' John had so many talents! I mean, first he puts out those hard-hittin' tunes, then he does a few skits with the Muppets, and now he's gotta spread the Good Word with him wherever he goes! It's kinduva a shame his aircraft-flying talent wasn't equal to all his other capabilities, though. I guess he's hangin' with God for real now! Aw willya look at me, I'm getting' all misty just thinkin' `bout it...
...Okay, I'm all right now. Baby, I'm all right now. I've also checked out the other two "Oh, God!" flicks, but without John Denver and his extraordinary thespian prowess, "Book 2" and "You Devil" are merely pale imitations of the original. Whoops, Ro'y is yellin' at me to get back to work-- I gotta bag `n' board last week's comic books! Wish me luck!
G'Bye
Movie Review: God in Plain Clothes
Summary: 5 Stars
Great flick - the definition of charming. Denver is unassuming, down-to-earth and excellent in the role of Jerry Landers. And Burns is great, of course, with many memorable lines. I love it when he's answering questions (in the hotel room) that the religious council has written out for John Denver to ask him - their task of 'proof' - all the questions are written in ancient Ayrmaic (or however it's spelt). Burns (as God in plain clothes) reads:
"Which of the world's religions is the closest to the divine truth?"
He answers himself (as Denver writes): "The divine truth is not in a building or a book or a story. Put down that the heart is the temple wherein all truth resides."
He goes on to answer other questions such as "What is the meaning of man's existence?" I'm not giving the answer away ;) but later he says,
"No, I better not go for laughs. You know Voltaire may have had me pegged right? He said I was a comedian playing to an audience who's afraid to laugh."
During the commentary with Terri Garr, Screen writer Larry Gelbart, and Director Carl Reiner one of the speakers says "In real truth, I wish we had asked God some tougher questions. I think we let Him off kind of easy (capital H of course)."
It's fun to listen to the insightful and entertaining commentary afterwards ("Maybe there IS a George Burns.."). The movie is not likely to answer all your spiritual questions, though it'll likely raise a few. All in a spirit of good fun though. Denver and Burns are fantastic.
"Your Honor, I would like to call to the stand.. the Lord God."