BOWFINGER (1999) - ♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Frank Oz

Written by - Steve Martin

Starring - Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy

"BOWFINGER is a thin veiled satire that draws inspiration on American independent cinema and even seems to pay a tender tribute to the resilience to the fascinating character of the B-movie filmmaker. 

We follow the story of one such individual, from whom the film claims its title, as he takes on the challenge of making a terrible sci-fi film that he thinks is absolutely golden, with an A-lister playing its leading role without him actually knowing it. 

Under FRANK OZ's exciting and mostly unobtrusive direction, the film's centrepiece is the screenplay itself, signed by STEVE MARTIN. Aside from the aforementioned qualities of the film, one can't help but admire the pacing and intelligence of the jokes that refrains from the usual representation of the film industry in a film, doesn't disregard a tasteful humanity in its eccentric characters and is full of tasteful jokes and witty gags and one liners. 

BOWFINGER also, of course, benefits from the comedic presence of its two leading stars, with MARTIN playing the titular role and EDDIE MURPHY the radically opposed roles of the arrogant a-lister who behaves like a macho but has serious phobias and his introverted and clumsy lookalike, who becomes his double in the film. 

Perhaps what the film truly lacks is more bite, particularly in its satirical dimension, but as far as entertainment goes, its original concept is certainly not wasted."

Comedy, USA