Bowfinger (1999)

When a desperate movie producer fails to get a major star for his bargain basement film, he decides to shoot the film secretly around him.

Director:

Frank Oz

Writer:

Steve Martin

Stars:

Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Heather Graham

6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Martin	...	Robert K. Bowfinger
Eddie Murphy	...	Kit Ramsey / Jefferson 'Jiff' Ramsey
Heather Graham	...	Daisy
Christine Baranski	...	Carol
Jamie Kennedy	...	Dave
Adam Alexi-Malle	...	Afrim
Kohl Sudduth	...	Slater
Barry Newman	...	Hal, Kit's Agent
Terence Stamp	...	Terry Stricter
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Jerry Renfro
Alejandro Patino	...	Sanchez
Alfred De Contreras	...	Martinez
Ramiro Fabian	...	Hector
Johnny Sanchez	...	Luis
Claude Brooks	...	Freddy

Storyline

Hollywood, today: Bobby Bowfinger, a run-down actor-producer-director, is reading a script which a friend has written. Completely convinced of its quality, he decides to take a last shot at fame and fortune. But the script is not that easy to sell, and a famous producer promises him to do it, but there is one condition: Kit Ramsey, Hollywood's number one star, has to be in it. So, Bobby tries his luck with Kit - who says no - and then decides to shoot the film himself. Together with the cheapest team available in Southern California, an aspiring beauty from Ohio, a diva who is just a little over the hill, a key-holding gofer from a major studio and a goon hired away from burger-flipping, Bobby sets out to shoot the science-fiction-film starring Kit Ramsey - who does not even know he's being filmed.

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Plot Keywords:

movie producer | brother | alien | one word title | deception | 

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Taglines:

The con is on.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sex-related material and language

Details

Official Sites:

Universal

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 August 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bowfinger's Big Thing

Filming Locations:

Le Dome Restaraunt, 8720 Sunset Boulavard, West Hollywood, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£896,983 (UK) (22 October 1999)

Gross:

£3,552,760 (UK) (26 November 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min 85 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Eddie Murphy part was actually written for Keanu Reeves.

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Goofs

When Bowfinger is in the bedroom with Daisy, counting his money, the picture behind the bed changes angle between shots (the first part of the scene was re-shot months after principal photography had finished, to include a shot of the table set for two).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Robert K. Bowfinger: Wow. Great script. Great script!
[to his dog]
Robert K. Bowfinger: Betsy? It's now or never. We are gonna make a movie.

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Crazy Credits

After the last credits roll, Kit's line, "I saved the world! I saved it," can be heard.

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Connections

References The Terminator (1984)

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Soundtracks

"Setembro (Brazilian Wedding Song)"
Written by Ivan Lins, Zitor Martins
Performed by Quincy Jones
Courtesy of Qwest Records
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

The con worked for me

Bowfinger How does Bobby Bowfinger, Hollywood's least successful director, get Kit Ramsey, Hollywood's biggest star, in his ultra low-budget film? Anyway he can. With an ingenious scheme and the help of Kit's eager and nerdy brother, Jiff, an ambitious and sexy wanna be actress and over-the-hill diva. Bowfinger sets out to trick Kit Ramsey into the performance of a lifetime.

To describe Bowfinger, it is a stupid idiotic film, which works. I thought it was terrific. Steve Martin (who wrote the film) plays the part of a hopeless director perfectly. While the other main star Eddie Murphy, again pulls off another great double as both Kit and Jiff Ramsey. Is there an end to this guys talent? i look forward to seeing Nutty Professor 2 soon. Heather Graham was again at her sexy best as Daisy. The other stand out actor for me in this film was Terrence Stamp. Can you remember him from Superman 2? That's right he was General Zod and in Bowfinger he is Terry Stricter, Kit's Councillor. His role was also well done. A final mention to one star, but with four legs, Mindy (aka Betsy) who was used perfectly. Animals who star on any movie or TV show have a special talent, this dog is no exception. Bowfinger is also a movie within a movie, which at any time must be hard to shoot, but thanks to Aussie director Frank Oz, Bowfinger comes out beautifully. Bowfinger Scores 3.5/5 Stars or 7/10. If you want a laugh see this wild, funny comedy!