Amongst the gross out comedies that hit it big in 1999 there was a comedy that didn't resort to that kind of humour and featured two great comedy performers together. That film was Bowfinger and while it was a modest hit it should have done better because it's a lot smarter than the likes of American Pie.
Steve Martin plays Bobby Bowfinger, a film director who's on the Z-list of Hollywood. he has a few hangers on who want to get into movies, one day he reads a script from one of his hangers and really likes it. Now he has to get it made and after trying to get some big time producers interested he is fobbed off with an excuse that if her gets major star Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy) to appear in it he has a 'go' picture. Naturally Kit isn't interested but Bowfinger instead shoots the movie around Ramsey and features him in it even though he doesn't know it. For close-up shots Bowfinger enlists a geeky look-a-like Jiff (Murphy again) Ramsey is very troubled in the mind and when actors start coming up to him on the street in crazy scenarios he starts getting paranoid whihc leads to some madcap antics and some funny stuff.
I reccomend Bowfinger because Murphy is excellent in a double role. As Ramsey get's more paraniod Murphy really steps up the insanity while his Jiff character is very goofy and funny, especially when he's made to run across a freeway countless times in hysterics. Martin meanwhile is very deadpan whilst the supporting cast is great with the likes of Jamie Kennedy, Heather Graham and a very funny turn from Christine Baranski.
The dvd itself is quite decent as well. The film is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. The transfer is very solid with very little sign of trouble. In fact it's pretty flawless.
The sound is in Dolby Digital 5.1, like most comedys there isn't much use of surround effects but it's well mixed. My region 1 copy also has a DTS version which has a little more punch to it.
The extras start with an audio commentary by director Frank Oz, it's an entertaining track and for those who don't know Oz is the voice of the muppets Fozzie Bear so at times you're getting a track by one of the muppets. What he has to say is quite entertaining and interesting.
Next up is a 'making of' that features some good behind the scenes footage as well as decent cast and crew interviews. it's in the vein of most universal 'spotlight on location' featurettes.
A collection of deleted scenes follows that have some decent stuff. One scene has Bowfinger trying to find out Ramsey's address by getting various qoutes on dry-cleaning. The most expensive price must be Ramsey's dry cleaner.
The out-takes are also pretty funny, On some other Murphy dvd's this is a highlight feature so coupled with Steve Martin you get some great stuff. One point Martin stops a take because he looked at his mark in an obvious way.
Murphy-That's ok, Spencer Tracy used to do it all the time.
Martin-Yeah but I'm nothing liek him.
Murphy-Why not, you both got white hair!
Rounding out the dvd are the usual trailers, production notes and cast/crew biographies.
If you're a fan of either of the stars then you should check this movie out.
More details
Soundtrack
Average
How does it compare to others by the same director?
Good
Value for Money
What format are you reviewing?
Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
very helpful
very helpful
off topic
helpful
This product has not yet been reviewed. 
