IT'S a part made for Billy Connolly - little guy with a big mouth taking on the mysterious Them... or in this case, Him.

Steve Myers (Connolly) is an ex-lawyer turned fisherman (how appropriate) whose life is shattered when lightning strikes his boat and the insurance company refuses to pay up citing the accident was an Act of God and therefore not covered by his policy.

Failing to appeal to the insurance company's better nature, Myers decides to take further action and issues writs against the insurers and God's representatives on Earth - the churches.

If science has long been the new religion, then perhaps big business is the new science... and the little people are expected to bow before its money making altar.

Deliciously, it appears the churches will have to defend their position by arguing against the existence of God.

It's a great idea and its development is well executed by director Mark Joffe. Unfortunately, once we actually get to court the pace slows and the burgeoning romance between Myers and Anna (Judy Davis), the reporter who shadows his case holds back the story even more.

But for all that, there are some interesting philosophical points bandied about without ever getting too heavy. Does everything happen for a reason? Would the real God spend his time thinking of ways to destroy fishing vessels? Perhaps He really does move in mysterious ways.

There's always a compromise of course; although, somewhat unsatisfactorily, Myers' moral victory eventually relies upon another kind of big business. Some of the symbolism is as overplayed as the sight gags and Connolly's frenzied tirades are overused, but The Man Who Sued God is a slightly surreal, irreverent little picture that should provide ample antidote to screaming blockbuster fare.

See it at UCI