Details
Movie Description
In this Frank Oz film, washed-up director Bobby Bowfinger finds his dream movie script, but not the financing that will make the movie happen. Desperate, Bowfinger stalks and films famous action star Kit Ramsey reacting to his own oddball group of actors, making Kit the movie's hero without his knowledge. Kit, already paranoid, starts to lose it as strangers approach him to discuss alien invasions. But one problem remains: The dramatic conclusion to the film can be filmed only with Kit's assistance--or by pushing him entirely over the edge.
Synopsis
When never-has-been director Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) finds a movie script he's convinced will take him to the Oscars, he'll do anything to get the movie made--including lying to his actors, "borrowing" film and equipment from a major studio, and coercing border-jumping Mexicans to be his camera crew. With a budget of only $2,000 and no Hollywood clout, Bowfinger can only get backing by casting famous action star Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy). When the actor turns down the offer, Bowfinger stages elaborate scenes where his overly eager actors approach Kit, say their lines, and run off while Bowfinger films it, making Kit the unwitting star of the movie. Meanwhile, these strange encounters cause the already edgy actor to become even more anxious, building toward a complete nervous breakdown that might jeopardize the film's big finale.
Gleefully spoofing Hollywood staples such as promiscuous actresses, Scientology, sleazy producers, and empty promises, the film celebrates the magic of the movies as much as it pokes fun at it. Director Frank Oz wisely gives free rein to screenwriter Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy, who turns in not one but two winning performances as Kit Ramsey and his goofy look-alike named Jiff. A meeting of great comic minds, BOWFINGER is a Tinsel Town-skewering delight.
Film Notes
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
DTS Surround 5.1 - English
Dolby Surround - French
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Frank Oz - Director
Deleted Scenes/Outtakes
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
Featurette - 1. Universal Showcase
Text/Photo Galleries:
Production Notes
Eddie Murphy plays the roles of both Kit Ramsey and Jiff Ramsey.
Industry Reviews
"...So smart and biting that we relish it....[Murphy] gives the performance of his life..."
Movieline - p.39 - Stephen Farber (09/01/1999)
"...Real accuracy and sting come in Robert Downey Jr's brilliant cameo..."
Sight and Sound - p.39-40 - Charles Taylor (11/01/1999)
"...Quirky and clever....Scenes of explosive hilarity..."
Variety - p.39 - Todd McCarthy (08/09/1999)
"...Inspired funny business that allows Martin to hilariously torpedo Hollywood's corrupt heart..."
Rolling Stone - p.125-6 - Peter Travers (09/02/1999)
"...With its highly original, clever and well-paced script, BOWFINGER scams edgy but light-hearted laughs from 'Action!' to wrap..."
Box Office - Mike Kerrigan (09/01/1999)
"...This is the funniest Eddie Murphy comedy since the Reagan administration..."
USA Today - Mike Clark (08/13/1999)
"...People bring out the best in Eddie Murphy: the more of them he plays on screen, the drop-dead funnier he becomes..."
Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan (08/13/1999)
"...[Murphy shows] a gift for creating new characters out of familiar materials....Martin is also at the top of his form....BOWFINGER is one of those comedies where everything works..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (08/13/1999)
Quotations
"A black dude who plays a slave that gets his ass whipped gets the nomination. A white guy who plays an idiot gets the Oscar. That's what I need. I need to play a retarded slave, then I'll get the Oscar."--Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy)
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