---
title: "Absolutely Anything"
year: 2015
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/absolutely-anything"
fi1m_id: "absolutely-anything"
imdb_id: "tt1727770"
tmdb_id: 86828
wikidata_id: "Q16156329"
fi1m_score: 34
critics_score: 31
critics_reviews: 11
published: "2026-09-24T02:54:23.868859+00:00"
updated: "2026-09-24T02:54:24.421754+00:00"
region: "SK"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Absolutely Anything (2015)

Directed by Terry Jones · 1h 25m · Comedy, Science Fiction

## Identity

Absolutely Anything

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/absolutely-anything
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** absolutely-anything
- **IMDb ID:** tt1727770
- **TMDB ID:** 86828
- **Wikidata ID:** Q16156329
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1727770/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/86828, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16156329

**Fi1m score: 34** · Critics 31 from 11 reviews

*In a sentence:* Simon Pegg works so hard for a laugh that we start worrying about him

> Terry Jones’s science-fiction comedy gives Simon Pegg plenty of work and too little worth doing. A willing cast cannot rescue the laboured jokes, though Robin Williams lends Dennis the Dog some welcome warmth.

## Synopsis

Neil (Simon Pegg) is at the centre of this science-fiction comedy about power and irresponsibility. Catherine (Kate Beckinsale), Ray (Sanjeev Bhaskar) and Grant (Rob Riggle) join him in a cast that also includes a headmaster (Suzy Eddie Izzard) and James Cleverill (Robert Bathurst). Dennis the Dog is played by Mojo and voiced by Robin Williams. Terry Jones directs from a screenplay written with Gavin Scott, with Joanna Lumley as Fenella, Marianne Oldham as Rosie, Emma Pierson as Miss Pringle and Meera Syal as Fiona among the supporting cast.

## Review

*Absolutely Anything* is a poor comedy with enough talent involved to make its failure particularly dispiriting. Terry Jones directs and shares the screenplay credit with Gavin Scott, but the jokes have the unfinished feel of suggestions waiting for somebody to improve them. We were bored, and then sorry for Simon Pegg, because his comic effort so often goes towards making weak material merely playable. A science-fiction comedy ought to give its performers more opportunities to surprise us.

Pegg plays Neil with a willingness that keeps the film from becoming wholly disagreeable. He can make foolishness appealing, and he gives us somebody to follow even when there is little reason to care where the writing takes him. Yet the performance keeps drawing attention to how much work a capable comic actor can do without actually being given a good joke. Too often, we found ourselves noticing his effort while waiting for something to laugh at.

The supporting cast makes that shortage harder to excuse. Kate Beckinsale as Catherine, Sanjeev Bhaskar as Ray and Rob Riggle as Grant offer ample opportunity for different comic temperaments, yet the writing does too little with them. Suzy Eddie Izzard’s Headmaster and Joanna Lumley’s Fenella add to the impression of capable people being invited in without enough thought about what they might contribute. Jones and Scott seem to count on our pleasure at recognising the performers, which does not last long enough.

Dennis the Dog fares better, with Mojo on screen and Robin Williams supplying the voice. There is warmth in Williams’s contribution, and his vocal performance sounds less strained than much of the comedy around it. We were grateful for that ease, although gratitude is a modest response to somebody employed to make us laugh. Dennis provides some relief without being funny enough to justify the rest of the film.

Peter Hannan’s cinematography and James Acheson’s production design give the performers little visual assistance. The images are seldom funny in themselves, leaving the dialogue and performances to do almost everything. Julian Rodd’s editing cannot give the jokes the snap that Jones and Scott’s screenplay lacks, and the stretches between laughs become wearing. George Fenton’s music does not make the comedy feel much lighter, either; the film needs better reasons for its cheerfulness.

The running time is at least a kindness: this lasts 85 minutes. But brevity does not excuse jokes that arrive already worn out, and the film never seems demanding enough of its own comic ideas. Fantasy comedy can be untidy, foolish and unashamedly childish, provided the foolishness produces a laugh. Here there is too much waiting for the next one, with too little invention to make the waiting interesting.

Most critics have been unpersuaded, and we share that judgement. Pegg’s performance makes a degree of forgiveness understandable, but the script keeps asking for more of it. Admirers of the cast may find enough pleasure in their company to tolerate the material. Anyone simply looking for a funny film should choose another comedy.

*Fi1m score 34, published 24 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics find Absolutely Anything a disappointing comedy whose cast works harder than its script. The complaints centre on weak jokes, clumsy plotting and a promising premise that produces too few laughs. Simon Pegg attracts the most consistent credit, with several reviews praising his efforts to keep the story afloat. Even the harsher notices acknowledge the comic talent involved, though that often makes the thin material more frustrating rather than less.

The spread runs from qualified approval to outright dismissal, with little disagreement about the film being underdeveloped. Total Film offers a warmer assessment, finding charm in Pegg’s goofy performance despite the underused supporting cast. Robin Williams’s contribution divides opinion: Den of Geek singles out his voice performance as Dennis the dog as the highlight, while Variety considers him wasted. Elsewhere, cheap production values and unappealing alien animation add to the objections.

## Straight answers

**Is Absolutely Anything worth watching?**

*Absolutely Anything* is difficult to recommend, and we scored it 34 out of 100 for its laboured jokes and wasted cast. Simon Pegg works hard and Robin Williams gives Dennis the Dog some warmth, but those pleasures mainly suit devoted admirers of the performers; we recommend another comedy for anyone simply seeking laughs.

**How long is Absolutely Anything, and what is it rated?**

*Absolutely Anything* runs 1h 25m. It is a comedy and science fiction film.

**Where can I watch Absolutely Anything in Slovakia?**

*Absolutely Anything* is not on any streaming or rental service in Slovakia at the moment. It is available in 26 other countries; change your country at the top of the page to see where. Availability is checked daily.

**How violent or frightening is Absolutely Anything, and is it suitable for children?**

*Absolutely Anything* has a UK 12A certificate, so it is not an unrestricted choice for children. Children under 12 need an accompanying adult at the cinema, and the certificate calls for parental judgement. We cannot offer a specific warning about violence or frightening scenes from the content details available.

**How does Absolutely Anything compare to Bruce Almighty?**

*Absolutely Anything* is the weaker comedy beside [*Bruce Almighty*](https://film.one/film/bruce-almighty), which we recommend as the more dependable choice for extraordinary powers and human foolishness. Both disappoint in their handling of the premise, but *Bruce Almighty* earns more laughs before its preachy last act; *Absolutely Anything* leaves its willing performers struggling with weak jokes throughout.

### Reviews we read (11)

- **Screen Daily**, Fionnuala Halligan (64/100, inferred): The page identifies this as a review of the film, but the review text is behind a paywall. Its verdict and any specific praise or complaint are not visible. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/absolutely-anything-review/5091550.article)
- **Total Film**, Matt Looker (3/5): The review finds the film charming but underdeveloped, with Simon Pegg’s comic performance helping keep it afloat. It praises Pegg’s goofy charisma while faulting the film for underusing its supporting cast and not giving Robin Williams a funnier swansong. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/absolutely-anything-review/)
- **Radio Times**, Victoria Luxford (2/5): Luxford finds that the film’s evocative premise soon gives way to a nonsensical story. She singles out Simon Pegg for doing his best to make sense of the madness. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-k4dppx/absolutely-anything/)
- **Time Out**, Tom Huddleston (2/5): The review finds this comeback comedy disappointing and undeserving of the Monty Python crew. It singles out the film’s dodgy comedy as the main complaint. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/absolutely-anything)
- **Empire**, William Thomas (20/100, inferred): Thomas finds the film a confused, cheap comedy that barely raises a laugh. He praises Simon Pegg’s efforts and the former Pythons’ voice work, while noting the dog is cute. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/absolutely-anything-review/)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (15/100, inferred): Debruge finds the film a clunky, immature satire that squanders its comic talent. He singles out its unfunny wish-fulfillment scenarios and says Robin Williams’s performance is wasted. [Read](https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/absolutely-anything-film-review-1201568111/)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (10/100, inferred): Bradshaw pans the film as depressing and far from funny. He criticizes its dismal script and cheap production values despite its talented cast. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/aug/13/absolutely-anything-review-cheap-and-cheerless-sci-fi-comedy)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Stephen Dalton (10/100, inferred): Dalton calls the film a flabby comic misfire that only die-hard Pegg and Python fans might indulge. He faults its labored jokes and clunky script, despite the cast’s comic talent. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/absolutely-anything-film-review-814719/)
- **Den of Geek**, Mark Harrison (2/5): The review finds the comedy disappointing and says there is little reason to see it in cinemas. Robin Williams’s voice performance as the dog Dennis is singled out as the highlight. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/absolutely-anything-review/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Stefan Pape (25/100, inferred): Pape finds the comedy underwhelming, predictable and largely unfunny, leaving viewers disappointed. He singles out the ugly animation of the alien interludes as especially unpleasant. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/absolutely-anything-review/)
- **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (10/100, inferred): Reynolds finds the comedy a tedious, failed outing, especially compared with Bruce Almighty. He criticizes the alien characters’ lack of charm and the film’s obvious, weak jokes. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a663473/absolutely-anything-review-monty-python-grant-simon-pegg-absolute-power-and-its-a-terrible-idea/)

## Details

- **Director:** Terry Jones
- **Director:** Terry Jones
- **Screenplay:** Gavin Scott, Terry Jones
- **Cinematography:** Peter Hannan
- **Editor:** Julian Rodd
- **Music:** George Fenton
- **Production design:** James Acheson
- **Costume design:** James Acheson
- **Producer:** Bill Jones, Ben Timlett
- **Cast:** Simon Pegg as Neil; Kate Beckinsale as Catherine; Sanjeev Bhaskar as Ray; Rob Riggle as Grant; Robert Bathurst as James Cleverill; Suzy Eddie Izzard as Headmaster; Joanna Lumley as Fenella; Marianne Oldham as Rosie
- **Runtime:** 1h 25m
- **First release (Brazil):** 13 February 2015
- **Genres:** Comedy, Science Fiction
- **Box office:** $6 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CYVGN98ZLA

## Where to watch in Slovakia

Not streaming, renting or buying in Slovakia at the last check.

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BR, CA, CL, CO, DE, DK, FI, GB, HU, IE, IN, IT, JP, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, SE, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *The Man Who Could Work Miracles* (1936): Another ordinary man acquires impossible powers, with rather more comic purpose.
- *Bedazzled* (1967): For wishes that go wrong in ways worth laughing at.
- *Bruce Almighty* (2003), Fi1m 55: A more dependable choice for divine powers and human foolishness. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/bruce-almighty.md)
- *The Brand New Testament* (2015): Belgian divine mischief with stranger ideas and a sharper comic appetite.
- *Ruby Sparks* (2012): Wish fulfilment becomes uncomfortable when an imagined woman acquires her own opinions.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/absolutely-anything