Bowfinger (1999)

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I don’t usually like comedies or movies about making movies, so I was surprised to enjoy Bowfinger so much. Frank Oz (What About Bob?, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) directs and Steve Martin writes and co-stars with Eddie Murphy in this story about a down-and-out filmmaker who tricks his friends into making a movie starring one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Thing is, the big star doesn’t know he’s in the movie — the movie team is simply stalking him and incorporating their stolen footage into their film, a hilarious alien invasion flick entitled ‘Chubby Rain.’ Martin plays the ringleader and Murphy stars as the aloof A-list actor, whose paranoid delusions make his encounters with the filmmakers all the more entertaining. Murphy also plays the A-list actor’s dullard brother, who joins Martin’s efforts for coffee runs and ass doubling. Terence Stamp co-stars as the head of a Scientology-like mega-church that has its claws in Murphys actor-character, while Christine Baranski, Heather Graham, and Jamie Kennedy play members of Martin’s filmmaking entourage. Bowfinger is a comedy that doesn’t outwear its welcome and the cast are having such a great time, it’s infectious. And if you love making movies, there’s also an Ed Wood-esque swirl of cheese and charm you’re sure to appreciate here.  With Robert Downey, Jr.

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