Giving this movie 10 stars to help even out its unacceptably low average of 6.4.I like the setups, the scripts continual jabs at Hollywood, movie- making, and actors. Steve Martin, Christine Baranski, and Heather Graham all do good work here.However... Eddie Murphy absoposilutely steals EVERY scene he is in, both as paranoid egomaniac star Kit Ramsey AND as the endearingly gullible and innocent Jiff. Steve Martin's story is the necessary plot bones that enable Murphy's comic star turns throughout this movie. As I rewatch again on my DVR, his scenes are the ones I return to over and over for continual laughs.

The cast does justice to the brilliantly simple concept of a bunch of loser Hollywood misfits led by arch-producer Bowfinger (Martin) who want to make a film so badly that they film their 'lead', the A-list Kit Murphy (played by Eddie Murphy) without him knowing it. The script is superb, the timing excellent.Having spent the first half hour brilliantly setting up his characters and their idiosyncrasies, Steve Martin uses his excellent craft as a screenwriter to keep the audiences involved till the very last frame. This could have been a clichéd nightmare of a movie, but it works beautifully on all levels. Another great plus is Heather Graham and Jamie Kennedy. Both of these, in supporting roles, almost threaten to steal the limelight away from the bigger names. Kennedy's character in particular, as the shy guy who likes to pretend he knows it all is a brilliant stroke of casting genius. Steve Martin has written a gem of a comedy, without the gross-out, body-part, "can this really be happening" humor that seems to be the standard of late. Eddie Murphy is equally funny as both Ramsey twins, finding new and fresh ways to play paranoid and nerdier. Comedy doesn't get the respect it deserves, but Bowfinger gets a healthy dose from me.Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

Bowfinger (1999): Dir: Frank Oz / Cast: Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Christine Baranski, Heather Graham, Terrence Stamp: Hilarious romp becomes one of Steve Martin's best and most creative comedies. Steve Martin stars as Bobby Bowfinger, a struggling filmmaker who lies to get ahead. Eddie Murphy plays action star Kit Ramsay. In order to sell his script Bowfinger must sign Ramsay but after being tossed from his limo he hides the camera and his actors approach Ramsay and say their lines. Paranoid, Ramsay disappears leaving his geeky twin brother to replace him. Hilarious concept marred only by its corrupt conclusion. Director Frank Oz is inventive with a theme that bares similarities to his Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Martin and Murphy at their comic best. Martin is truly inventive in his techniques to film his target without detection. Murphy in duo roles has rarely been better. Christine Baranski plays an actress bent on impressing Ramsay but cannot understand why she cannot meet him. Heather Graham plays a seductive new actress who wishes to make it in Hollywood and stoops to having sex with her director to do it. Terrence Stamp is also good in a limited role as Kit's guru who attempts to make sense of his situation. The film pokes fun of independent filmmaking and overplaying its counter to digital technology. Very funny comedy that gives new meaning to low budget. Score: 8 / 10

This very funny film, does owe a lot to Eddie's place in the movie, doubling as a geek brother of a block buster movie star, Kit Ramsay (the other Murphy role) who refuses to be in Mr Bowfinger's (Martin's) film. He's a struggling director trying to get a film made, with a script called Chubby Rain, that has just wowed him over. Desperate for actors, including the sexy Graham, as a bimbo and budding starlet, he plans to shoot around Kit, who begins to go paranoid, unawares he's the star of Bowfinger's new flick, which this scenario goes down well, and at points, is rib tickling. Through the comedy, we see a lot of truth in this cut through business, like the audition phase, and as trying to get a film made, not to give up and hold onto your dream, which like other movies, we have an inspirational theme. Yeah, it shows you the pitfalls, arse kissing, whatever, as trying to get producers like and investors interested. Among the small cozy crew of Bowfinger's we have a method actress (the wonderful Christine Baranski). Again, this is so true. I've seen it first hand, as even though is a harmless lighthearted comedy, there's a lot of reality about the business underneath. The auditioning and perpetual kissing scene with Graham, and the lucky son of a b..ch is hot. But bimbo, like Graham plays well and all so innocent and sexy is an easy lay here. It's Murphy's geek character scenes I loved the best, a great contrast to his serious, movie star brother who's not having the best of days. The part where Kit went off spouting names of action stars/bad actors that rhymed I loved and was clever. There are some great lines too, ala: Steve Martin, who even wrote that Guy Pearce thriller, Traitor years later, although I've really never thought much of him as an actor, where he did show some great character work in some films, but like Sandler, they were slapstick, comedy based, which demanded that style. It's what you call for an actor, taking the easy way out. One line, comparing a shallow personality, failed auditionee, to a zip code was brilliant, and one I've always remembered. On the whole, Bowfinger is funny, and richly rewarding, and a holy relief, after Murphy's prior dismal comedy pic, Life. Martin is on a winner here, with a nice inspirational ending. Up there with The Nutty Professor, Ed.