The Man Who Sued God



The Man Who Sued God is a 2001 Australian film starring Scottish funnyman Billy Connolly, who plays fisherman and retired lawyer Steve Meyers. His wife has left him, seeing the owner of the caravan park she lives in, and is thinking of leaving with their daughter. Despite Steve being close to her this suits him fine, spending his days on his boat with his dog, until lightning destroys it. When the Insurance companies refuse to pay on the basis of it being an act of god Steve contemplates legal action, before his local church gives him the idea to sue god instead, holding the Insurance agencies responsible for using god as a legal loophole.

This attracts the attention of news writer Anna Redmond (Judy Davis) who attempts to guide Steve through the legal minefield as well as the Media Circus. During the trial the two begin a relationship.

--

The Man Who Sued God has examples of:

 * Face Heel Turn: Steve teases this when the Insurance companies offer a settlement to drop the case, where it looks like he'll abandon the other victims who joined him in his quest.
 * Frivolous Lawsuit: The main character is a fisherman whose boat is destroyed by lightning, but he isn't allowed to claim damages from his insurance company because the lightning was "an act of God." So he sues God. (God is represented in court by clergymen.)
 * Newscaster Cameo: Chris Bath (one of the better-known Seven Network News Journalists) appears as a newsreader.