Oh, God! Book II

Oh, God! Book II is a wonderful blend of comedy and philosophy that was released in 1980. The film presents viewers with a unique interpretation of the higher being of God, played brilliantly by George Burns. This sequel to its first well-received installment, "Oh, God!" directed by Carl Reiner, doesn’t attempt to diverge significantly from the successful formula of the original.

At the onset of Oh, God! Book II, we are reintroduced to God as an amiable elderly gentleman in a cardigan sweater, portrayed by the ever-charming George Burns. While the first movie revolved around God's interaction with a supermarket manager, this sequel offers a new spin by introducing a perceptive young girl, Tracy Richards, into the mix.

God selects Tracy (played by Louanne Sirota) in this sequel as his new liaison to the world. Unlike her predecessor, Tracy is a precocious 11-year-old elementary school girl. Her parents (Suzanne Pleshette and David Birney) are going through a divorce, and Tracy finds her life toppled with both school tasks and emotional challenges that her family situation presents.

Instead of presenting global disasters or deciding world peace, God asks Tracy to promote him on earth. God's request is straightforward; he wishes for Tracy to help him in improving his image among the people on Earth. If this were not enough, she also has to deal with the skepticism all around her, as no one, not even her loving, yet understandably bewildered parents, believe her story of interacting with the Lord. Throughout the movie, God underlines the importance of faith, belief, and cherishing the little things in life to Tracy.

The film is primarily a showcase for George Burns' reassuring brand of folksy humor, where God is absolutely confident in his abilities to sway and convince, yet thoroughly easygoing and joyful in his approach. His portrayal is full of the wit and wisdom that is expected from the divine creator, and his interactions with Tracy are heartwarming, humorous and enlightening.

The script is equal measures of humor and contemplative moments, sprinkled with thought-provoking life lessons weaved into everyday situations. It gently brings out the concepts of faith and trust in oneself and the divine almighty through seemingly simple yet poignant conversations between Tracy and God. However, the narrative never gets heavy or preachy - a testament to the skilled writing and nicely paced directives.

Suzanne Pleshette (playing Tracy's mother, Paula) and David Birney (Tracy's father, Don) provide significant screen presence, portraying the stress of a modern couple going through separation, juggling career demands, and attempting to provide emotional support to their children. The confusion and disbelief they experience considering Tracy’s outlandish claims of talking with God adds a realistic touch to the comedic but sensitive narrative.

The young Louanne Sirota does a commendable job in the lead role. Her interactions with Burns are charming to watch, her screen presence refreshingly unadulterated and she forms the emotional core of the movie. She weirdly never undermines the gravitas of George Burns' presence, playing her parts with grace and credulity.

The director, Gilbert Cates, should also be lauded for the seamless blend of spirituality, everyday human drama, and comedy in the film. The clever use of humor and the natural charisma of the main characters make the somewhat heavy subject of faith and religion easier to digest for the audience. Cates does a fantastic job of providing a personal touch to God, a universal figure and articulates an interesting perspective to interpret His persona.

In conclusion, Oh, God! Book II is a comedic yet deep exploration of the nature of faith, the concept of God, and the struggles of mundane life. George Burns' portrayal of God is as likable as it is memorable, managing to use comedy as a tool to talk about deeper themes. Whether you're looking for something light-hearted and full of laughter or something with depth that will make you wonder and reflect, Oh, God! Book II is a film that doesn't disappoint.