Year:
1999
Studio:
Universal Pictures/Imagine Entertainment
Movie:
3/5
DVD:
3/5
Teaser
Bowfinger International Pictures is a very small -- no, make that
extremely small -- film production company headed by the smooth talking
Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin). Bowfinger finally has the script of his
dreams and a go from a major film company to shoot it. The only catch
is that he has to get action movie star Kit Ramsey (Eddiy Murphy) to
star in it. That's not going to happen, so Bowfinger's backup plan is
to make the movie and not tell Kit that he is in it.
Movie
A comedy about the movie business, "Bowfinger" is a funny and engaging
story about a small film company trying to make the movie of their
dreams. Bowfinger himself and his trusty sidekick Dave are the only
ones who know that Kit is not an active participant, which leads to
scenes where "random" people walk up to Kit and spew off lines that
oddly match with his neurotic fantasies.
In the end it's a movie about what lengths people go to realize their
dreams. Nobody dies, nobody's heart is broken, nobody falls in love,
and everything strangely ends up ok for everyone involved, even Kit.
Frank Oz directed and cut the film to a focused length and I shouldn't
be surprised that one of the Muppet Show creators knows how to make a
funny movie.
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Actors
You know, Steve Martin still has it. He writes and stars without taking
over the picture yet remaining a central figure, the pivot that the
other actors revolve around. Eddie Murphy gets to put in two
spectacular performances as the almost-insane Kit Ramsey and his much
less brilliant brother (not really twin brother) Jiff. I've been less
impressed with Murphy in recent years but this is one movie where he
can ham it up and look good. Heather Graham is cute as the starlette
from Ohio who is determined to sleep her way to the top -- and she does
pull that off while remaining fairly innocent and nice.
DVD
Frank Oz's commentary is insightful if a bit dry at times, though
certainly better than other directors' commentaries. There are deleted
scenes and outtakes, a 25-minute "Spotlight on Location" special, and
the theatrical trailer. The "Spotlight on Location" shows are actually
fairly good behind-the-scenes programs. Less hype-y and more talking
with the cast and crew than other specials -- I'm not impressed by
behind-the-scenes that are 50% film footage that you're going to see in
the movie anyway.
Recommendations
I recommend this movie. It's a good comedy and maybe inspirational to
would-be film makers. But don't try this at home kids.
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