Martin, who wrote the screenplay, gives Murphy the creative space to strut his stuff.
Bowfinger (1999)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:107
Fresh:85
Rotten:22
Average Rating:7/10
Consensus: A witty commentary on modern film-making, with enough jokes to keep it entertaining throughout.
Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: When never-has-been director Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) finds a movie script he's convinced will take him to the Oscars, he'll do anything to get the movie made--including lying to his actors,... When never-has-been director Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) finds a movie script he's convinced will take him to the Oscars, he'll do anything to get the movie made--including lying to his actors, "borrowing" film and equipment from a major studio, and coercing border-jumping Mexicans to be his camera crew. With a budget of only $2,000 and no Hollywood clout, Bowfinger can only get backing by casting famous action star Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy). When the actor turns down the offer, Bowfinger stages elaborate scenes where his overly eager actors approach Kit, say their lines, and run off while Bowfinger films it, making Kit the unwitting star of the movie. Meanwhile, these strange encounters cause the already edgy actor to become even more anxious, building toward a complete nervous breakdown that might jeopardize the film's big finale. Gleefully spoofing Hollywood staples such as promiscuous actresses, Scientology, sleazy producers, and empty promises, the film celebrates the magic of the movies as much as it pokes fun at it. Director Frank Oz wisely gives free rein to screenwriter Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy, who turns in not one but two winning performances as Kit Ramsey and his goofy look-alike named Jiff. A meeting of great comic minds, BOWFINGER is a Tinsel Town-skewering delight. [More]
Starring: Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Heather Graham, Robert Downey
Starring: Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Heather Graham, Robert Downey, Christine Baranski, Jamie Kennedy, Terence Stamp
Director: Frank Oz
Director: Frank Oz
Screenwriter: Steve Martin
Producer: Brian Grazer
Composer: David Newman
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Reviews for Bowfinger
Preposterous and utterly self-absorbed, this has la-la land down to a tee.
Martin may express himself more gracefully than Bobby Bowfinger does, but the two share a certain quality of vagueness or absence that has plagued Martin's entire career as an actor and writer.
Martin's decision to tell the story from a bottom feeder's point of view is what keeps it fresh and innovative--never have we seen on screen a group of people struggle this hard to complete a motion picture.
Your sides will hurt when the film fades out. It is a comedy event not to be missed.
Martin the writer plants some wicked barbs in Hollywood's rear end about creative financing of movies and hoarding of profits, the art of the deal, hipper-than-thou attitudes and exploitation.
After a decade in the wilderness, it's good to know that Martin can still cut it with the likes of Jim Carrey and Mike Myers.
Bowfinger bears the same relation to satire as reports of the weekend grosses do to journalism.
With its highly original, clever and well-paced script, Bowfinger scams edgy but light-hearted laughs from 'Action!' to wrap.
A few bright spots aside, Bowfinger's jokes almost universally fall flat, with missed comic opportunities buzzing by at every turn.
Awkwardly patronizing -- everyone, except maybe Bowfinger and the bold sexpot, is so clearly set to fail that their final 'triumph' is surreal.
A film that fans of Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, and skillfully written and performed comedy should enjoy.
[An] entertaining little comedy that should be forgiven for not living to its potential.
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