Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Oh, God! Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 28, 2021

After taking a seven-year-long break from feature film direction after he unleashed the weirdness of “Where’s Poppa?” on audiences, Carl Reiner decides to go a little softer on ticket-buyers, pairing with writer Larry Gelbart for 1977’s “Oh, God!” An adaptation of a book by Avery Corman, the picture tries to create entertainment out of a potential nightmare, tracking the increasing panic of grocery store assistant manager Jerry (John Denver) as he’s contacted by God (George Burns), asked to “spread the word” and give faith a boost during increasingly dark times. Reiner is here to make sure such a chilling premise remains approachable, giving “Oh, God!” an aimable vibe as jokes and belief come together, making some magic with the on-screen team of Denver and Burns.

There’s an unspoken level of cruelty in the story of “Oh, God!” The weight of the world has been placed on Jerry’s shoulders, asked to become a one- man-band for God’s glory, facing the loss of his job and family (Teri Garr portrays Jerry’s wife) as the man upstairs makes a big ask of a small man. Only Jerry can see and hear God, creating comedic opportunities for mishaps and misunderstandings, which never get too broad, as the material retains some respect for major questions of responsibility and sanity. “Oh, God!” isn’t hilarious, but Burns manages the humor, turning the character into an amusingly enigmatic and chatty deity, while Denver adds a more manic spirit to the movie, often caught in panic situations as Jerry works to carry out his command, forced to represent God’s word in a way that makes him look nuts, even to Dinah Shore.

Oh, God! Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Oh, God!" delivers a film-like look at production particulars, with fine grain nicely resolved throughout the viewing experience. Detail is clear and inviting, exploring differences in actor ages and period costuming. Grocery store interiors are defined (offering a chance to time travel by searching for old brands), and exteriors retain dimensional. Colors are vivid, capturing bright primaries found on car paint jobs and store signage. Fashion choices also bring out light blues and deep reds. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in excellent condition.

Oh, God! Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix deals with a straightforward sound design for "Oh, God!" Dialogue exchanges are clear, balancing quieter conversations and mild argumentative behavior. Scoring supports comfortably, with decent instrumentation.

Oh, God! Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director Carl Reiner, screenwriter Larry Gelbart, actress Teri Garr, and producer Jerry Weintraub.

• Commentary #2 features film critic and theologian Dr. Donna Bowman.

• "The Tonight Show with John Denver" (27:52, SD) is a 1977 clip from the iconic late night talk show, with Denver taking over hosting duties for a vacationing Johnny Carson. His guest is "Oh, God!" director Carl Reiner. Valerie Harper also appears.

• "The Tonight Show with John Denver" (20:36, SD) is a second 1977 clip from the program, with Denver welcoming guests George Burns and Teri Garr.

• Radio Spots (3:44) offers seven commercials for "Oh, God!"

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:00, SD) is included.

Oh, God! Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The first two acts of "Oh, God!" are breezy and amusing, following Jerry's mission to make the impossible happen, trying to bring attention to himself and God's light. It's a tale about faith, not religion, which makes it all much more interesting. However, the last act confronts the toxicity of Christian charlatans, emerging in the form of Reverend Willie (Paul Sorvino), who's looking for power and influence in the name of God, challenging Jerry to prove his authenticity. This leads to a courtroom showdown and a slight dramatic edge to the material, killing off the picture's initial lighthearted approach. "Oh, God!" doesn't have a satisfying conclusion, but perhaps it couldn't. Reiner and Gelbart don't try to tie up all the loose ends left at the end of the feature, they simply want viewers to enjoy this strange ride with an unusual partnership, keeping matters as buoyant as possible when dealing with God and his vaudeville jokes.