Comedy
Hollywood is littered with wannabe film directors and has-been directors. Most of them, like all of us have dreams, their's are to make film magic. Film producers like ROGER CORMAN have given us some fantastic directors like Francis Ford, Ron Howard, Jonathon Demme and many, many more. Some are just waiting for the right script or that golden opportunity to make their first movie. BOWFINGER is a film that should be dedicated to all the little guys out there who struggle every day to make the big time. Yes it does happen as THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT has shown us this summer. The little guy does and can turn out a runaway hit.
This film is about all the chicanery that is carried to turn out that one big hit about the truimph of the little guy over the monolithic phoniness and hypocracy which is Hollywood.
Steve Martin has created Bobby Bowfinger to epitomize these would be creators. His script is witty, funny and insightful and it delivers the laughs.
A has been director receives a script, written by an accountant, that begs to be filmed BOWFINGER is the story of a has been director who awaits his comeback with the one film that will bring him into the big time. He finally receives a script that he feels begs to filmed and that it will make him a success. He quickly gathers his crew to discuss the production and how they will go about shoot ing it. Taking the little money he has (all movies cost $2000.00 he says) he begins to put a crew together, consisting mainly of Mexican illegals. He now has a writer(an accountant); his lead actress, a Norma Desmond like actor played beautifully by Christine Baranski; his would be leading man and a young actress, Heather Graham, who intends to sleep her way to the top. He is ready to make the sci-fi thriller called "CHUBBY RAIN". All he needs is the mega star, Kit Ramsey (played by Eddie Murphy). He plans to have him in his picture even if he doesn't know it. Murphy manages to spoof all the mega star qualities to good effect. His jokes spoof their vanities and foibles and their constant search for inner peace. Murphy turns up as Jiff Ramsey who we find is Kit's brother. He plays this part as an innocent, gawky character; subduing his usual brashness and he comes across as a character you can feel for. It is one of the best parts he his played in quite a while.
It is fun to watch their antics as they set up their shots to get Kit in action. Meanwhile poor Kit thinks he is being stalked by real aliens. The story becomes a series of fun routines which lead to a very satisfying conclusion.
Starring: Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Heather Graham, Christine Baranski, Terence Stamp Directed by Frank Oz Written by Steve Martin Produced by Brian Grazer Distributed by Universal Studios Rating USA... PG-13 for sex-related material and language Rating Canada... AA for sex related themes and language Read Another Review Of This Film Read Still Another Review Of This Film |
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