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Bowfinger is a side-splitting comedy, that
has a great time poking fun at different aspects involved in
making a film in the Hollywood culture; the deal making, creative
financing, dealing with actors, etc. It is sort of a "Day
for Night", in the low-budget movie making business. This
story tells the hilarious tale of how Bobby Bowfinger (Martin),
of Bowfinger studios, who is Hollywood's least successful director
/ independent movie maker, gets a major action star, Kit Ramsey
(Murphy), to be in his "ultra low-budget film," without
Ramsey's awareness that he is being filmed.
Down to his last dollars, Bowfinger doesn't
let Ramsey's refusal to be in his film stop him in the least;
as without Ramsey's participation, there is no money coming
from the studios. Hatching an ingenious scheme, which he carries
out, with the help of Ramsey's "eager and nerdy brother,"
Jiff (Murphy), as well as a cast and crew that also have a stake
in his film being made, Bowfinger sets out with great determination
to trick Kit Ramsey "into a performance of a lifetime,"
by filming Ramsey, without his knowledge, which has hilarious
results.
The script is utterly delightful, an original
comedy, one of Martin's masterpieces. Some of my favorite scenes
include the filming sequences involving both of Murphy's characters,
(Kit Ramsey & Jiff Ramsey). To put it clearly, Ramsey doesn't
have both oars in the water; being a bit paranoid, a little
crazy, and has socially unacceptable urges. Poking fun at new
age religions, the script has Kit relying on his "spiritual,
cosmic mentor," Minehead honcho Terry Stricter (Terence
Stamp), who helps him control his unacceptable impulses, as
well as calm his excitable brain. Terry has Kit recite his Happy
Premises 1,2,3 etc.
Jiff (Murphy's second character), eager to
be in the movies, does anything that Bowfinger can cajole him
into, actions that the screen actor's guild would have kittens
in the street over. Murphy is incredibly funny, as both Ramsey
and Jiff.
Martin, as Robert K. Bowfinger, is sure to
entertain the audience as well, as he schemes, films and directs
in secret. Also amusing are his cost-cutting, very inventive
methods in production; though how he does everything for his
film is not exactly considered to be the approved Hollywood
way, to say the least. Check out how he gets a film crew and
equipment for just about nothing, and how he gets away with
not using a stunt person, or having filming permits, etc.
Also, it's fascinatingly funny how Bowfinger
puts together a film from secretive film footage of Kit Ramsey,
& Jiff Ramsey and the other actors, which is edited into
other footage, to make a film that works; a comical tribute
to the craft of editing, which is an important force in the
film industry. Editing can make or break a film.
Bowfinger is a delightful, clever, comical
film, that most everyone will find most enjoyable. The trailer
shown on the film didn't do it justice, painting it to be more
sexy than it was in reality, not truly giving the audience a
true vision of this marvelously funny film.
Parental Guide: Does have one & a few implied
bedroom scenes, though not much is shown. There is a reaction
shot of Jiff, looking at the chest of the actress off-screen.
A few potty words sprinkle the dialog, mostly from Ramsey's
character. Generally speaking this film is ok for older children,
12 and over. Subject matter and plot won't appeal to younger
children.
The cast includes: Steve Martin (Bobby Bowfinger),
Eddie Murphy (Kit and Jiff Ramsey), Heather Graham (Sexy wanna
be actress), Christine Baranski (a past her prime "diva"),
Terence Stamp, and Robert Downing Jr. (Studio Executive).
Produced by: Brian Grazer. Written by: Steve
Martin. Directed by: Frank Oz
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