Bowfinger

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Bowfinger

PG-13,

1999,

1h 37m,

Comedy

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Watchlist

83%

110 Reviews

Tomatometer

61%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

110 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

On the verge of bankruptcy and desperate for his big break, aspiring filmmaker Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) concocts a crazy plan to make his ultimate dream movie. Rallying a ragtag team that includes a starry-eyed ingénue (Heather Graham), a has-been diva (Christine Baranski) and a film studio gofer (Jamie Kennedy), he sets out to shoot a blockbuster featuring the biggest star in Hollywood, Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy) -- only without letting Ramsey know he's in the picture.

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Critics Consensus

A witty commentary on modern film-making, with enough jokes to keep it entertaining throughout.

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Xan Brooks

Independent (UK)

Dec 20, 2024

Breathless and breakneck, Bowfinger marks a rousing return to form for writer-star Martin.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 22, 2010

3/5

Entertaining, great actors but not a home run.

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Feb 2, 2009

The best thing about Bowfinger is the way the script by Steve Martin is tooled to his own and Murphy's comic strengths.

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Chuck Klosterman

Akron Beacon Journal

Oct 26, 2023

3/4

Bowfinger is a terrifically witty movie that skewers all the right targets. It's self-referential and geared toward movie buffs, but it's not so insular that you need an in-depth knowledge of the industry to get the jokes.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Aug 19, 2023

Steve Martin's tribute to shoestring filmmaking and big-screen dreams is a loving lampoon that gamely straddles the chasm between cynical con-artistry and benign innocence.

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Alex Behan

The Post NZ

May 28, 2021

Martin makes a perfect delusional meglomaniac and Murphy's double act still plays really well.

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George R

Jan 8, 2019

Still better than pretty much any comedy in the past 3 years

Han S

Oct 28, 2018

In Bowfinger Steve Martin plays a filmmaker desperate to make a film despite his lack of money, talent or connections. The film is extremely funny and not in a crude manner. This is an intelligent film. Eddie Murphy proves why he was such a famous comedian back in the day as he portrays twin brothers with opposite personalities and truly gives the film a certain leverage. There are great side roles for the likes of Heather Graham, Robert Downey Jr. and Terrence Stamp but the film belongs to Martin and Murphy. If you are in the mood for a heartfelt comedy without any pretenses than Bowfinger is a great choice.

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George M

Oct 25, 2018

In Bowfinger Steve Martin plays a filmmaker desperate to make a film despite his lack of money, talent or connections. The film is extremely funny and not in a crude manner. This is an intelligent film. Eddie Murphy proves why he was such a famous comedian back in the day as he portrays twin brothers with opposite personalities and truly gives the film a certain leverage. There are great side roles for the likes of Heather Graham, Robert Downey Jr. and Terrence Stamp but the film belongs to Martin and Murphy. If you are in the mood for a heartfelt comedy without any pretenses than Bowfinger is a great choice.

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Draco R

Aug 29, 2018

My favorite movie! Eddie Murphy crossing the busy highway made me laugh so hard! Loved Christine Baranski in this as well

Anakin L

Aug 27, 2018

Bowfinger is an underrated movie- few if any comedy fans have heard of it but this gem starring Steve Martin and an excellent Eddie Murphy is a great film. The screenplay is well written and the jokes are frequent and funny. Eddie Murphy proves why he is one of the finest comedic talents and side actors like Robert Downey Jr. and Heather Graham are quite good. It is strange how Bowfinger has been forgotten by most film lovers but if you get a chance do watch it. You will be surprised.

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Kylo L

Jul 31, 2018

Bowfinger is a hilariously charming film starring Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy set in the heart of Los Angeles. Martin plays a filmmaker desperate to make a film despite his lack of money, talent or connections. The entire film is funny and Eddie Murphy proves why he was such a famous comedian back in the day as he portrays twin brothers with opposite personalities. There are great side roles for the likes of Heather Graham, Robert Downey Jr. and Terrence Stamp but the film belongs to Martin and Murphy. If you are in the mood for a heartfelt comedy without any pretenses than Bowfinger is a great choice.

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Frank Oz

Director

Steve Martin

Bobby Bowfinger

Eddie Murphy

Kit Ramsey

Heather Graham

Daisy

Christine Baranski

Carol

Jamie Kennedy

Dave

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Synopsis

On the verge of bankruptcy and desperate for his big break, aspiring filmmaker Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) concocts a crazy plan to make his ultimate dream movie. Rallying a ragtag team that includes a starry-eyed ingénue (Heather Graham), a has-been diva (Christine Baranski) and a film studio gofer (Jamie Kennedy), he sets out to shoot a blockbuster featuring the biggest star in Hollywood, Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy) -- only without letting Ramsey know he's in the picture.

Director: Frank Oz
Producer: Brian Grazer
Screenwriter: Steve Martin
Distributor: United International Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us], CIC-Taft Home Video, Filmes Lusomundo, Argentina Video Home
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 13, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $66.4M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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