Mr-Fusion There's a lot to be said for a Hollywood satire that's sharp, yet free from cynicism. "Bowfinger" features plenty of jabs at the culture, but they're all light-heated. It's a great sense of humor. And while the cast is good, this is all just an excuse to see Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy ply their comedic talents. This type of story suits Martin, but Murphy takes it to a whole new level. The paranoid movie star is a nice touch, but the man kills it as a goofed-up nerd; and when that awkward character is on screen, this is nothing short of hilarious. I love that even though Murphy's got his own signature laugh (Axel Foley, anyone?) he comes up with something completely new.This is a great comedy, beautifully paced and very funny.8/10

Python Hyena Bowfinger (1999): Dir: Frank Oz / Cast: Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Christine Baranski, Heather Graham, Terrence Stamp: Hilarious romp becomes one of Steve Martin's best and most creative comedies. Steve Martin stars as Bobby Bowfinger, a struggling filmmaker who lies to get ahead. Eddie Murphy plays action star Kit Ramsay. In order to sell his script Bowfinger must sign Ramsay but after being tossed from his limo he hides the camera and his actors approach Ramsay and say their lines. Paranoid, Ramsay disappears leaving his geeky twin brother to replace him. Hilarious concept marred only by its corrupt conclusion. Director Frank Oz is inventive with a theme that bares similarities to his Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Martin and Murphy at their comic best. Martin is truly inventive in his techniques to film his target without detection. Murphy in duo roles has rarely been better. Christine Baranski plays an actress bent on impressing Ramsay but cannot understand why she cannot meet him. Heather Graham plays a seductive new actress who wishes to make it in Hollywood and stoops to having sex with her director to do it. Terrence Stamp is also good in a limited role as Kit's guru who attempts to make sense of his situation. The film pokes fun of independent filmmaking and overplaying its counter to digital technology. Very funny comedy that gives new meaning to low budget. Score: 8 / 10

oscar-35 *Spoiler/plot- Bowfinger, 1999. A group of struggling Hollywood outsiders come together to produce a BIG science fiction film involving a HUGE action star. The comedy of this film is that the production methods and actions are accomplished confidentially and secretively. *Special Stars- Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Heather Graham, Jamie Kennedy, Christine Braranski, Adam Alexi-Malle, Terance Stamp, Robert Downey Jr. DIR- Frank Oz.*Theme- Team work can overcome all odds. *Trivia/location/goofs- Comedy. Shot in Universal sound stage. Locations like Griffith Observatory, Glendale freeway, Hollywood, Los Angeles and Acton California. Written by Steve Martin. Eddie Murphy wanted to work with Mr. Martin for several years and had a very tight schedule to work on this film. 'Mindhead' was a subtle 'jab' at Hollywood's Scientology and rumors of that fact well before the film was released. The young non-actor character 'Daisy' was a subtle 'jab' at Mr. Martin's X-girlfriend Ann Hetch. The original film name was "Bowfinger BIG Thing".*Emotion- A wonderfully clever and interesting film plot that develops some very funny drama involving some misfits becoming Hollywood moguls. I'm a little biased on this point of this review. I worked on the film for many weeks and enjoyed the cast & crew. article LINK: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CheckingtheGate/message/2 *Based on- Steve Martin's story script written over ten years before.

nbwritersinbox With an IMDb rating of only 6.3, I'd like to address the deficit.Comedy character acting isn't easy. Legends like Peter Sellers could do it, Sir Alec Guiness could do it. Here, we get to enjoy another master of that Art, Eddie Murphy. In this movie, he's at the top of his game.The sequence when Nerdy Burger Boy "Jiff" (played by Murphy) has to run across a freeway is one of the best-engineered comedy routines on film. I literally find myself aching with laughter as "Jiff" courageously negotiates highspeed cars, bikes and trucks, contorting his body in an afford to remain in one piece! (In fact, I wonder how they managed to film this sequence, since it looks so realistic!) The essence of great comedy is, unfortunately, other people suffering. (Not real suffering - acted suffering - due to comically-engineered situations). Laurel & Hardy knew this. Keaton and Chaplin knew this. Murphy and Martin know this. Without missing a beat, Bowfinger (played with aplomb by Martin) asks Jiff for one more "take". The real director (Oz) decides on just a few seconds of close-up as Jiff dashes across the lethal freeway oncemore. Looking at Murphy's tortured face is an achingly funny moment.But the laughs don't stop. Bowfinger amounts to a deliciously wicked satire of Hollywood's many shortcomings. Unhinged superstars, Mexican film crews and desperate starlets are all ruthlessly parodied for our entertainment. This is intelligent comedy and I appreciated its subtlety in every chuckle-inducing frame.If you feel down, I'm certain Bowfinger will supply the antidote.