THE MAN WHO SUED GOD (15)

Former lawyer turned cray fisherman Steve Myers (Billy Connolly) is struggling to make a living in Australia when disaster strikes.

Lightning hits his boat and completely destroys the vessel, which doubles as a floating home.

When his insurance company refuses to pay out, using a loophole reserved for an 'Act of God', Steve re-registers as a lawyer and, knowing he can't beat the insurance company, decides to sue the other party, God.

Since The Almighty cannot take the witness stand to refute Steve's claims, the Churches are called to mount a defence, and a Cardinal (Vincent Ball) hires his friend, Machiavellian lawyer Gerry Ryan (Bille Brown).

The case invariably arouses the interest of the media, and in particular newspaper reporter Anna Redmond (Judy Davis).

The Man Who Sued God reduces a smart, satirical premise to a routine courtroom drama, threaded with a misfiring romantic comedy subplot.

Screenwriter Don Watson, working from an original idea by Patrick McCarville, mines the rich vein of humour inherent in the David and Goliath-like battle between the a man of principle and a dissimulating Church, especially when the establishment's only chance of winning its case appear to be to denounce The Almighty.

Connelly brings his trademark roguish charm to his central role, immediately endearing himself to us as he risks everything to score a moral victory in the face of disdain from his ex-wife (Wendy Hughes) and mounting pressure from religious leaders.

There is swearing but no sex or violence.