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Bowfinger
Movie poster
Directed by	Frank Oz
Written by	Steve Martin
Produced by	Brian Grazer (Imagine Entertainment)
Starring	Steve Martin Eddie Murphy Heather Graham Terrence Stamp
Music by	David Newman
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date	August 13 1999
Running time	97 min.
Language	English
Budget	$44,000,000

Bowfinger is a 1999 film directed by Frank Oz about a down-and-out filmmaker in Hollywood. It was written by Steve Martin, and stars Martin, Eddie Murphy, and Heather Graham.

The film is a parody of Hollywood, filmmaking, celebrity and according to many reviewers, the group "MindHead" is a parody of the Church of Scientology.

Plot

Film producer Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) is extremely eager to make a film, he's saved up for it his entire life -- he now has $2,184 to pay for production costs. With a script penned by an accountant (Adam Alexi-Malle), a camera operator (Jamie Kennedy) with access to studio-owned equipment, and several actors who are hungry for work (Christine Baranski, Heather Graham, Kohl Sudduth) he needs access to a studio in order to distribute his masterwork.

He manages to extract a promise from a film studio executive (Robert Downey Jr.) that the executive will distribute the film if it includes currently-hot action star Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy). Ramsey - a rather pompous, neurotic actor - refuses, so Bowfinger constructs a plan to covertly film (on an extremely low budget) all of Ramsey's scenes without his knowledge. The actors, told that Ramsey is method acting and will not be interacting with them outside of their scenes, walk up to Ramsey in public and recite their lines while hidden cameras catch Ramsey's confused reactions.

The plan goes well at first. Ramsey ends up starring (unknowingly) in the movie. However, Ramsey (who is a member of an organization called MindHead) misinterprets the movie's sci-fi dialogue and believes he's being stalked by aliens, damaging his already-precarious mental state. He finally goes into hiding in order to maintain his sanity. This puts a hold on the film production, and leaves Bowfinger wondering what to do next.

A desperate Bowfinger resorts to hiring a Ramsey lookalike (also played by Murphy) named Jiff. Jiff is kind, amiable and rather clueless. He even runs a gauntlet of "stunt drivers" racing along a major freeway when asked. Eventually, he becomes depressed about his lack of acting talent, but another castmember assures him that his real talent is being an exact double for Kit Ramsey. Jiff isn't sure "how much of a talent that is...I mean, I am his brother." Using this new knowledge, Bowfinger has Jiff find out Kit Ramsey's movements and the final, pivotal conclusion to the movie is readied for filming.

All Bowfinger needs to shoot is the final scene at an observatory, with Ramsey shouting the final line "Gotcha suckers!" At this point, MindHead officials have discovered evidence that Kit's 'aliens' may not be just in his head. They track Bowfinger to the observatory, and shut down production. It seems Bowfinger will never get his movie. That is until his camera crew reveals that they were filming B-roll footage of Ramsey off-set, just in case they saw anything they could use.

What they got was footage of Ramsey donning a paper bag over his head and exposing himself to an amused Laker Girl Cheerleading Squad. Bowfinger shows the footage to MindHead, and blackmails them, threatening to take the footage public. Knowing that this material could ruin Ramsey's career (he's a major contributor to their operation), MindHead advises the star to finish the project. Bowfinger finally gets to sit at the premiere of a movie he himself directed, and is awed.

Following the arguable success of the movie, Bowfinger receives a rare Fed-Ex envelope -- an offer to film a martial arts movie called "Fake Purse Ninjas" starring Bowfinger and Jiff Ramsey.

Production

The film was produced by Brian Grazer's company Imagine Entertainment, in conjunction with Universal Studios. The working title for the film was "Bowfinger's Big Thing". The film was initially scheduled for a July 30, 1999 release, but in May 1999 Universal Studios pushed its release back to August 27, 1999. Its final release date was August 13, 1999. The film's costs amounted to USD$44 million.

Casting

Actress Heather Graham, who portrayed the character Daisy in the film, described her character in an interview with CNN's Entertainment News. "It's about these losers in Hollywood who want to make a movie, and I'm this naive, innocent girl who wants to be an actress. I'm willing to stop at nothing." Graham stated that she has a "special attachment" to the roles she chooses, and explained "I think it's kind of like you fall in love with the person, like you fall in love with the script."

Themes

In reviews of the film, some critics compared the fictional organization "MindHead" to the Church of Scientology. Paul Clinton wrote in CNN online: "'Bowfinger' could just be viewed as an out-there, over-the-top spoof about Hollywood, films, celebrities and even the Church of Scientology. But Martin has written a sweet story about a group of outsiders with impossible dreams." Andrew O'Hehir wrote in Salon that "Too much of 'Bowfinger' involves the filmmakers' generically wacky pursuit of the increasingly paranoid Kit, who flees into the clutches of a pseudo-Scientology outfit called MindHead (their slogan: 'Truth Through Strength')." The Denver Post, the Daily Record and the San Francisco Chronicle made similar comparisons, and the Albuquerque Journal and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram called MindHead a "thinly veiled" parody of Scientology. A review in The New York Times described actor Terrence Stamp's role in the film as "a cult leader for a Scientology-like organization called Mind Head," and The Dallas Morning News and the Houston Chronicle made similar statements about Stamp's character. Writer Steve Martin told the New York Daily News "I view it as a pastiche of things I've seen come and go through the years," and stated "Scientology gets a lot of credit or blame right now, because they're the hottest one."

Reception

Critical reception

Bowfinger received generally positive reception from film critics. The film has received a "fresh" rating of 81% on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 91 reviews. Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars, and wrote "'Bowfinger' is one of those comedies where everything works." The Rocky Mountain News highlighted the film as a "Critics' Choice", and wrote that "Steve Martin takes gentle but funny aim at Hollywood" in the film. In The Washington Post, Jane Horwitz described the film as a "riotous farce". The Kansas City Star called it a "frequently hilarious comedy". The New York Times highly recommended the film, and reviewer Janet Maslin wrote "This hilarious, good-hearted spiritual descendant of The Producers is a comic coup for Mr. Martin." The Daily Mail wrote "Martin's back to his zany best ... possibly his best ever." A review in the Deseret Morning News was critical, giving the film two and a half out of four stars, and called it a "funny but frantic and somewhat mean-spirited comedy."

Box office results

The film debuted at the number two spot behind The Sixth Sense, with an initial box office weekend return of USD$18.2 million at 2,700 theaters in the United States. It held onto the number two spot in its second week, earning an additional $10.7 million and grossing $35.7 million in its first ten days. As of September 7, 1999, Bowfinger was at the fourth spot, with a weekend return of $7 million and a total gross of $55.5 million. By September 13, 1999, the film had slipped to 5th place, with a weekend return of $3.7 million, for a total take of $60.5 million. By October 11, 1999, the film had earned $65 million in the United States. The film did not fare as well overseas as it did in the United States.

References

1. ^ McNary, Dave (May 11, 1999). "How Big A 'Menace'? 'Phantom' Not The Only Game In Town". Los Angeles Daily News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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4. Staff (May 7, 1999). "What's on summer's movie screens". Deseret Morning News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
5. Hindes, Andrew (May 26, 1999). "U's 'Bowfinger' pushed to August: Martin- Murphy starrer gets some breathing room". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2007-12-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
6. ^ King, Susan (August 17, 1999). "Weekend Box Office; 'Sixth Sense' Pulls Big Dollars and Cents". Los Angeles Times. pp. Page 5. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
7. McNary, Dave (June 24, 1999). "Hollywood Sizzles: Box Office Heat Wave Breaking Summer Records". Los Angeles Daily News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
8. ^ Vercammen, Paul (June 15, 1999). "Heather Graham earns adoration as Felicity Shagwell". CNN Entertainment News. CNN. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
9. Clinton, Paul (August 12, 1999). "Review: 'Bowfinger' over-the-top farcical treat". CNN. Time Warner. pp. Section: Movies. Retrieved 2007-12-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
10. O'Hehir, Andrew (August 12, 1999). "Bowfinger: Martin and Murphy team up for a good-natured sendup of the mindless summer blockbuster -- and just barely avoid making one themselves". Salon. Retrieved 2007-12-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
11. Booth, Michael (July 16, 2007). "Martin skewers Hollywood". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2007-12-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
12. Staff (October 22, 1999). "Martin makes Murphy make magic; BOWFINGER". Daily Record. pp. Section: Features. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
13. Morris, Wesley (August 13, 1999). ""Bowfinger' has the touchMartin, Murphy make mincemeat out of Hollywood as a down-and-out producer and his "star'". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Newspapers. Retrieved 2007-12-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
14. Staff (January 1, 2007). "'Bowfinger' Lacks Chemistry Between Martin, Murphy". Albuquerque Journal. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
15. Staff (January 21, 2000). "Hollywood looks in the mirror, and laughs". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
16. Staff (October 23, 1999). "Actor Terence Stamp makes the most of his film roles". The Dallas Morning News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
17. Holden, Stephen (September 3, 1999). "CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; Laughs, Schmaffs. Does It Have an Edge?". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
18. Millar, Jeff (October 15, 1999). "Good acting gives hard-to-follow `Limey' a boost". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, LP. pp. Page 4. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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22. Voelz Chandler, Mary (August 15, 1999). "Critics' Choice: The best of the arts this week, compiled by News entertainment writers and critics". Rocky Mountain News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
23. Horwitz, Jane (August 20, 1999). "A Comedic 'Mickey'". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved 2007-12-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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25. Maslin, Janet (September 10, 1999). "Movie Guide: Now Playing". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2007-12-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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27. Staff (December 10, 1999). "Playing at local movie theaters". Deseret Morning News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
28. Natale, Richard (August 16, 1999). "Sense' Scares Off Challengers; Box Office.Thriller holds onto No. 1 spot, keeping 'Bowfinger' comedy at bay". Los Angeles Times. pp. Page 1. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
29. Klady, Leonard (August 23, 1999). "B.O. dollars & 'Sense': Thriller tops for 3rd week at $24 mil; 'Mickey' taps $10 mil". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2007-12-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
30. Staff (August 23, 1999). "Blame It On The Rain". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
31. Associated Press (August 23, 1999). "`Sixth Sense' tops box office for third week". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
32. Klady, Leonard (September 7, 1999). "'Sixth Sense' takes fifth, powers holiday: 'Bride' on honeymoon". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2007-12-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
33. Klady, Leonard (September 13, 1999). "'Stigmata' bleeds BO: 'Sense' slips to second; 'Stir' in mix". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2007-12-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
34. Lyman, Rick (October 11, 1999). "Universal Hopes 1999's Hits Will Silence the Rumor Mill". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2007-12-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
35. Groves, Don (December 16, 1999). "America's pics find foreign B.O. hit, miss puzzle: O'seas box office doesn't always follow U.S. money-makers". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2007-12-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

External links

• Official site of the film
• Template:Allmovie
• Bowfinger at IMDb
• Bowfinger at Rotten Tomatoes

• 1999 films
• American films
• Comedy films
• Scientology in popular culture