The Man Who Sued God *** (2001, Billy Connolly, Judy Davis, Colin Friels, Wendy Hughes) – Classic Movie Review 13,359

Billy Connolly is funny as an ex-lawyer who sues God after his fishing boat is hit by lightning, in the enjoyably quirky 2001 Australian comedy film The Man Who Sued God.

Director Mark Joffe’s 2001 Australian comedy film The Man Who Sued God stars Billy Connolly, Judy Davis, Colin Friels, and Wendy Hughes.

Billy Connolly is funny in an ideal star role for him as Steve Myers, an ex-lawyer who sues God after his fishing boat is hit by lightning, in this enjoyably quirky Aussie true tale.

Steve’s boat explodes into pieces, burns and sinks. He informs his insurance company, which rejects his claim, saying it is not liable as his boat was destroyed by an act of God. Steve files a claim against God, naming religious officials as representatives of God and so the respondents. The religious leaders, their lawyers and insurance companies together try to find a way to settle the case, which gains media attention.

The film is lit up with expert comedy performances and an intelligent script by Don Watson and John Clarke that dabbles in religion, law, the media and politics without getting in too deep.

Aussie favourites Judy Davis as journalist Anna Redmond, Colin Friels as David Myers, and Wendy Hughes as Jules Myers are also well used and effective.

Outdoor scenes were shot in two weeks in February 2001 in village of Bermagui, New South Wales, Mark Joffe’s favourite holiday location. Indoor scenes and post-production took place in Sydney.

Release dates: 25 October 2001 (Australia) and 22 March 2003 (UK).

The cast

The cast are Billy Connolly as Steve Myers, Judy Davis as Anna Redmond, Colin Friels as David Myers, Wendy Hughes as Jules Myers, Bille Brown as Gerry Ryan, John Howard as Edward Piggott, Emily Browning as Rebecca Myers, Peter Whitford as Moderator, Steve Jacobs as Hal, Ritchie Singer as Sam Cohen, Blair Venn, Vincent Ball, Frank Whitten, Linal Haft, Tim Robertson, Richard Carter, Josephine Byrnes, and Tamblyn Lord.

© Derek Winnert 2025 – Classic Movie Review 13,359

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