Too much of everything

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

Blistering performances.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Caught this movie on TV one night when I was a kid. It's an interesting little film, where George Burns stars as God as a remember, but in reality, his messenger for the modern world. Makes you think more of miracles as God's powers and glory have reached the world more directly through a human messenger with out-of-this-world powers. Acting was quite good for that time - nice seeing singer John Denver star in a film. Grade B

This movie is a delight, so I can't understand why it's rated less than 7 on IMDb.com especially since the majority of review writers rate it higher than the 6.6 composite score (38 Loved It, 8 Hated It before this review).While I wouldn't consider it a must-see (e.g. an 8 or higher rating), it's definitely worth a watch and should entertain anyone who's not hung up on 'dated' (a lazy term to use) material or is too easily offended that George Burns's character isn't consistent with the God of the Bible.First, it's supposed to be a comedy; second, it's a movie. There are almost no movies I can think of that accurately represent their source material, so don't expect this one to be any different. Besides, that John Denver's character drives an AMC Pacer actually enhances the humor for today's audience.Oh, God! (1977) is a charming film: Denver plays a credibly innocent agnostic asst. grocery store manager that comes to belief - that God exists, and that He appears to him quite casually as a kindly old codger (Burns) - such that he follows His instructions: to tell everybody that He's still with 'us' and cares, etc.Teri Garr (fabulous as always) plays Denver's wife, a true believer who, quite naturally, initially treats her husband's story about talking with God with skepticism. But after seeing how sincere he is about what's transpiring, she decides to at least believe in her husband.The couple must explain what's happening to their two children, who are embarrassed at school, and deal with disbelieving press and some stereotypical fanatics that show up at their house. The plot culminates in a court case, and I won't spoil any further.With Carl Reiner directing Larry Gelbart's cleverly written (and Oscar-nominated) screenplay, there are plenty of physical gags and chuckles (unless you take yourself too seriously). Burns delivers his dialogue as if it's off the cuff, e.g. as if God doesn't already know how everything will happen, else the comedy wouldn't work at all.There are plenty of familiar faces in supporting roles, but the film was tightly edited to 98 minutes and some of the actors ended up having little or no dialogue: Ralph Bellamy, William Daniels, Paul Sorvino (especially) and Jeff Corey have the most to say among Donald Pleasence, Barnard Hughes, Barry Sullivan, George Furth and David Ogden Stiers. Dinah Shore appears as herself.

Jerry Landers (John Denver) is a supermarket assistant manager non-religious nice guy with a wife Bobbie (Teri Garr) and two kids. He keeps getting notes from God (George Burns) for an interview. His curiosity gets the better of him. God wants him to spread his message of faith but he won't reveal himself to anybody else. He gets a minor report on local TV. His boss George Summers reduces him to bag boy. His kids are embarrassed of him. His wife wants him to cool it. He gets a spot on the Dinah Shore Show and he's hounded by publicity. A group of religious scholars including the bombastic self-righteous Reverend Willie Williams (Paul Sorvino) gives him a quiz of 50 questions to give to God.It's a bit of light comedy mixed with a serious message. George Burns as God is a stroke of genius. John Denver is good as the nice everyman. It takes some sharp jabs at organized religion and the world in general. Some probably would take offense because this is a particular God and not one of any religion. Burns is as sharp as a knife and the quiz is especially pointed. The courtroom is a bit too broad. In a way, the card trick is a bit too lowly for God but he wraps it up nicely.

This is an outdated movie for todays society. God is becoming less and less a part of our lives because "it" doesn't exist beyond our own imagination.This movie also is outdated with the message. Yes, it is a feel good movie, but it lacks a more universal appeal to all religions. It focuses on only Americans and Christianity.George Burns plays a great part as does the rest of the cast but watching this movie more than once is pointless. Although there are specific scenes where George Burns bitch-slaps some of the "christian" leaders for focusing on money and fame.I like George Burns a lot and he makes the movie work; without him it falls flat.