Absolutely Anything: A Comedic Take on Omnipotence
This film, amusing but not groundbreaking, blends the influence of Terry Jones with Simon Pegg’s natural humor. It’s a successful mix of comedy, science fiction, and romance, perfect for a relaxing evening.
Neil, a less-than-successful primary school teacher, dreams of writing a book, but it’s been a stalled project for years. He fantasizes about a romantic relationship with his charming neighbor, and his best friend is his anxious dog. Suddenly, Neil becomes the subject of intense scrutiny by the Higher Galactic Council. These powerful aliens are testing civilizations that have achieved space travel to ensure their moral character meets the Universe’s strict standards. Their test is simple: they grant omnipotence to a random individual from the planet under observation and then watch for a week to see if goodness prevails over greed, hatred, and selfishness. Neil is overwhelmed by his newfound power, but in this crazy world, it turns out to be the best way for him to become normal.
“Absolutely Anything” is one of the final films featuring the voice talent of Robin Williams. Sadly, the actor who voiced Dennis the dog can only be seen in the end credits, in footage from the dubbing studio.
The Allure of Omnipotence
The dream of omnipotence is perhaps one that humanity will never relinquish. Year after year, century after century, people dream of the powers of gods, of superpowers, of controlling the minds and bodies of others. Everyone feels inadequate or imperfect in some way, and everyone has thoughts about what needs to be fixed in the world around them. But fixing oneself, let alone the world, is difficult. It can take years just to lose a few pounds, let alone achieve world peace. But the desire is there. So, we dream with our eyes closed or watch movies about magic wands, genie’s miraculous beards, or alien gifts. “Absolutely Anything” embodies the most popular view of absolute power on screen. Omnipotence is given to an ordinary guy, even a loser, but he must use it in a way that doesn’t cause suffering to the rest of humanity.
Comparisons and Contrasts
Upon reading the synopsis, viewers might draw comparisons to popular comedies like “Bruce Almighty” and “Click.” While there are similarities, there are also significant differences. First, the acting. Simon Pegg is one of the best comedic actors in cinema today. He doesn’t need to make faces like Adam Sandler or play with a “rubber face” like Jim Carrey to be funny. Pegg is organically funny; he’s relatable to the average viewer, appealing to women, and understandable to men. He’s like the ideal neighbor, with quirks that don’t go beyond the norm. Second, the setting. “Absolutely Anything” is a British film through and through. Tweed jackets invariably coexist with right-hand drive cars, and the elaborate speech of a Cambridge professor is juxtaposed with the indistinct accent of a Pakistani migrant. Accordingly, the humor here differs from purely Hollywood humor – at times it’s a little smarter, sometimes meaner, and occasionally wilder, thanks to the age rating. Finally, the direction. As good as Tom Shadyac and Frank Coraci are, “Absolutely Anything” was directed by Terry Jones himself – an integral part of the Monty Python troupe, a man not only gifted but also able to showcase that gift to audiences.
For the first time since “The Meaning of Life,” all the members of the famous troupe are reunited in one film. However, only Terry Jones appears on screen, and even then, it’s just a fleeting cameo. The rest are limited to voice acting.
Monty Python’s Influence
Jones’s script, which unmistakably carries the spirit of Monty Python, transforms the predictable story of “Absolutely Anything” into a series of absurdist sketches and a collection of anecdotes. Here, the police suddenly turn pink, the hero’s friend turns into a sausage, and a skeleton from the biology classroom starts talking. But the authors wouldn’t be English if they didn’t add a second layer to their humor. World peace is as impossible for them as it is to feed everyone or provide them with a roof over their heads. And at this point, “Absolutely Anything” leaves viewers on the threshold of an interesting dilemma that not every viewer will notice – is it so bad to think about personal happiness when children are starving in Africa? The film doesn’t provide an answer to this question, and neither does the Galactic Council.
But all this is just a deeply hidden second layer. On the surface, it’s a silly but funny comedy with plenty of amusing plot twists, inventive examples of inept handling of superpowers, and a charming romantic storyline. The film is adorned with excellent actors, although our viewers will only read about the presence of many of them in the credits, as they are involved in voice acting. But what’s visible is enough to entertain, amuse, or even puzzle. And surely, after watching, you can close your eyes before bed and imagine yourself in Neil Clarke’s place. You certainly wouldn’t waste superpowers on a dog, but where are the aliens who will charge you with infinite energy?