Universal Pictures, Rated PG-13
Directed by Frank Oz
Written by Steve Martin

Steve Martin hasn't had much success in the realm of comedy lately (despite an effective serious turn in The Spanish Prisoner). His last real triumph may have been L.A. Story which he wrote himself several years ago. Well, I guess his idea was "go with what works" because he wrote the script to Bowfinger and it's a very solid comedy and one of his best films of the decade. Martin is also working with Eddie Murphy, almost outdoing his sidesplitting turn(s) in The Nutty Professor. Murphy only plays two roles this time and the stronger of the two is probably Jiff, a nerdy guy who stands in for Kit Ramsey, an egotistical megastar whom Bowfinger (Martin) wants in his movie. Bowfinger has gone for years and years without a hit film and is nearing middle age, in other words, his career will soon be dead if his next film isn't a hit. He tries to get Kit to star in his film but he refuses, so he comes up with a brilliant idea - film Kit when he's out in public and have th other actors say their lines to him. Then he hires Jiff to be a stand-in for other scenes. Bowfinger also happens upon a wannabe-actress fresh off the bus to Hollywood (Heather Graham, making up for her so-so performance in The Spy Who Shagged Me).
The satire on Hollywood is sharp, and why not? Most of the people involved, including director Frank Oz, have been there for years. Oz rarely makes a wrong step, and this is no exception. The film's only problem may be a few scenes here and there where it goes over the top, but for 90 minutes or so of good, intelligent laughs, Bowfinger fits the bill nicely. *** 1/2

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