Bowfinger

Watch Bowfinger

"The con is on."
  • PG-13
  • 1999
  • 1 hr 37 min
  • 6.5  (73,178)
  • 71

Bowfinger is a comedy film directed by Frank Oz and released in 1999. The movie features Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy and Heather Graham in lead roles. The film revolves around a down-on-his-luck producer Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) who is struggling to make a hit film in Hollywood. He comes up with a brilliant but audacious plan to produce a movie starring mega-star Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy) without his knowledge or consent.

Bobby, along with his motley crew of misfit actors, attempts to hoodwink and manipulate Ramsey into acting in his movie. The movie's title is “Chubby Rain” and features a sci-fi plot about invading aliens made of water. Bowfinger aims to film Ramsey without his approval by surreptitiously capturing his performance in everyday life. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Bowfinger is willing to go to any lengths to get his film made.

The film has a great mix of satirical humor and absurdity. It pokes fun at the film industry by exaggerating its parameters and portrays the eccentricities of the movie-making process. Steve Martin delivers a hilarious performance portraying a washed-up producer who is so desperate to succeed that he becomes oblivious to the absurdity of his actions.

Eddie Murphy also gives a standout performance in his dual role as Kit and his overly-demanding twin brother Jiff. Kit is a paranoid and high-strung actor who is wary of the film industry, while Jiff is a simpleton who becomes a stand-in for his charismatic twin. Watching Murphy seamlessly switch between the two characters and exhibiting impeccable comedic timing is the highlight of the movie.

Heather Graham's performance as the naive aspiring actress Daisy, who is tricked into acting in the movie, is also commendable. She brings a lot of charm and wit to her role and is the perfect foil to Martin's scheming character.

The supporting cast is equally strong in their characters. Jamie Kennedy plays Dave, Bowfinger's assistant, who comes up with the innovative idea to film Kit without his knowledge. Adam Alexi-Malle plays Afrim, the foreign actor who doesn't speak English but gets every role due to his impressive headshots. Christine Baranski plays Carol, a well-established Hollywood actress who initially rejects Bowfinger's ideas but eventually agrees to work on the film.

The film's comedy is enhanced by the witty dialogue and comical situations. The antics of Bowfinger and his crew to capture Kit's performance without his knowledge are hilarious. The scenes where the crew has to shoot in public without permits or on elevators are particularly amusing.

Overall, Bowfinger is a well-written and sharply executed comedy that will keep viewers laughing throughout. The performances by the lead cast are excellent, and the supporting cast does a great job in filling out their comic roles. The film's theme of audacity and the lengths people would go to achieve success in the film industry is relatable and amusing. If you’re looking for a good laugh, Bowfinger is the movie for you.

Bowfinger is a 1999 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 71.

Bowfinger
Description
Where to Watch Bowfinger
Bowfinger is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Bowfinger for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1999
  • MPAA Rating
    PG-13
  • Runtime
    1 hr 37 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.5  (73,178)
  • Metascore
    71