Bowfinger (1999) / Comedy

MPAA Rated: PG-13 for sex-related material and language
Running Time: 97 min.

Cast: Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Heather Graham, Christine Baranski
Director: Frank Oz
Screenplay: Steve Martin

Review published November 13, 1999

Bobby Bowfinger (Martin, The Prince of Egypt) is a small-time Hollywood producer who becomes enamored of a script a friend of his writes, an schlock alien invasions story called "Chubby Rain". Thinking this will be the film which takes him to the top, he shops the script around but can't sell it unless he gets Kit Ramsey (Murphy, Life), one of Hollywood's hottest actors, to star in it. Kit wants nothing to do with it so Bobby decides to make the film himself, and follow Kit around using actors to make it seem like Kit is actually in the movie, although he is totally unawares.

Bowfinger is a well-conceived and mildly amusing film written by Martin that delivers on some genuine laughs even if it never takes off to being a good film. Martin and Murphy deliver a high amount of energy making the film watchable for the duration. Well directed and fun while it lasts, but don't expect too much.

Qwipster's rating::

©1999 Vince Leo