I consider this the most recent great Steve Martin film to date (traditionally, I've found, the ones he actually writes himself tend to be better). The lengths he's willing to go to get Eddie Murphy on film are truly hilarious, and Murphy himself shines in his dual role. Just the look on his face when Steve makes him run across the freeway to get the shot is classic. I wonder if some of the bizarre film suggestions brought up over the course of the film might actually work on screen, for example, a film like "Buck the Wonder Slave," or finishing off a bad guy named Cliff by telling him it was nice meeting him and then shoving him off a cliff? A great satire of the whole film industry, and one that I guess isn't too far removed from actual reality.
What did you think of it?
Posted by Kash (Member # 297) on :
"Its all good, this script is...this script is butter, its butter it's jiggy baby" Posted by Oreb (Member # 5007) on :
shopgirl was a great movie too, but a drama. steve martin wrote the story.
bowfinger is awesome, it has an 80s comedy vibe to it, fun and easy to watch
Posted by maxwellhauser (Member # 4968) on :
Bowfinger works on so many levels! For one, it is an amazing satire on Scientology. Second, it was a revenge film against Martin's ex-girlfriend Anne Hecht (Daisy is Anne, right up to dumping Martin at the end of the movie for "the most powerful ... in Hollywood").
Martin's script was genius, as was Eddie Murphy's acting. How nice it was to see vintage Eddie act outrageous! Daddy Daycare just didn't do it for me. Bowfinger was brilliant - maybe someday it will be recognized as such.
The movie also hits a lot of the same buttons that "Ed Wood" did. I loved Bobby Bowfinger's collection of groupies. Not quite Bela, Tor, Bunny, and Vampira level of weird, but good nonetheless.
Posted by Jessie the Sunflower Goddess (Member # 1877) on :
I am actually glad to hear something on this one because I haven't ever seen the whole thing. It has just been one of those that I have never taken time to sit down and watch. I am actually excited about this post because I had forgotten about this one and am in the mood for something funny and Steve Martin. I think I will check it out again.
Posted by Bionic Bigfoot (Member # 2490) on :
Maxwellhauser...you know who Tor Johnson, the "Sweedish Angel" is! I'm impressed. Do you only know him because of the movie "Ed Wood" or have you always know who he is?
Bowfinger was sooooo funny to me. I love Steve Martin. I loved those Mexican guys he picked up on the border to be his film crew. It cracks me up how they become like film scholars by the end of the show. And when the cop asks Steve if he has a permit to film and Steve asks him "have you ever done any acting...?" You just knew what was coming next! I may just have to pull that DVD out and watch it again this weekend.
Posted by maxwellhauser (Member # 4968) on :
Bionic,
I know Tor Johnson from Plan 9 from Outer Space. Same goes with Vampira and Bunny Wigglesworth. I still have my old VHS tapes of Plan 9 and "Glen or Glenda?", bought long before Ed Wood was made.
I was doubly pleased that my all-time favorite wrestler, George "the Animal" Steele, played Tor in Ed Wood. It was a fitting tribute.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)