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| In reviews of the film, some critics compared the fictional organization "MindHead" to the ]. Paul Clinton writes in '']'' 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."<ref>{{cite news | last =Clinton | first =Paul | coauthors = | title =Review: 'Bowfinger' over-the-top farcical treat | work =] | pages =Section: Movies | language = | publisher =] | date =], ] | url =http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9908/12/review.bowfinger/index.html | accessdate = 2007-12-18 }}</ref> Andrew O'Hehir writes in '']'' 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')."<ref>{{cite news | last =O'Hehir | first =Andrew | coauthors = | title =Bowfinger: Martin and Murphy team up for a good-natured sendup of the mindless summer blockbuster -- and just barely avoid making one themselves. | work =] | pages = | In reviews of the film, some critics compared the fictional organization "MindHead" to the ]. Paul Clinton writes in '']'' 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."<ref>{{cite news | last =Clinton | first =Paul | coauthors = | title =Review: 'Bowfinger' over-the-top farcical treat | work =] | pages =Section: Movies | language = | publisher =] | date =], ] | url =http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9908/12/review.bowfinger/index.html | accessdate = 2007-12-18 }}</ref> Andrew O'Hehir writes in '']'' 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')."<ref>{{cite news | last =O'Hehir | first =Andrew | coauthors = | title =Bowfinger: Martin and Murphy team up for a good-natured sendup of the mindless summer blockbuster -- and just barely avoid making one themselves. | work =] | pages = | ||
| | language = | publisher = | date =], ] | url =http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/1999/08/12/bowfinger/index.html | accessdate = 2007-12-18}}</ref> '']'' describes the Kit Ramsey character as "...petulant, paranoid and pampered, like any good star, and also a devotee of a Scientology-like religion."<ref>{{cite news | last =Booth | first =Michael | coauthors = | title =Martin skewers Hollywood | work =] | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =], ] | url =http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_6388695 | accessdate = 2007-12-18}}</ref> In a review in the '']'', Wesley Morris describes Ramsey's organization as "a mock-Scientology cult called MindHead - a bit that sprung from Martin's own issues with MENSA."<ref>{{cite news | last =Morris | first =Wesley | coauthors = | title ="Bowfinger' has the touchMartin, Murphy make mincemeat out of Hollywood as a down-and-out producer and his "star' | work =] | pages = | language = | publisher =Hearst Newspapers | date =], ] | url =http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/examiner/archive/1999/08/13/WEEKEND870.dtl | accessdate = 2007-12-18}}</ref> The '']'' describes the MindHead organization "a rather thinly veiled but nevertheless amusing blast at Scientology,"<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | first = | coauthors = | title ='Bowfinger' Lacks Chemistry Between Martin, Murphy. | work =] | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =], ] | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> and the '']'' characterizes it as an "organization that comes across as a thinly veiled send-up of Scientology."<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | first = | coauthors = | title =Hollywood looks in the mirror, and laughs | work =] | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =], ] | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> The '']'' writes that Ramsey is "in the grip of a cult religion called Mind Head," which it calls "a rather close cousin of Scientology".<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | first = | coauthors = | title =Martin makes Murphy make magic; BOWFINGER | work =] | pages =Section: Features | language = | publisher = | date =], ] | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> A review in '']'' describes actor ]'s role in the film as "a Scientology-style guru,"<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | first = | coauthors = | title =Actor Terence Stamp makes the most of his film roles | work =] | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =], ] | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> '']'' referred to Stamp's character as "a cult leader for a Scientology-like organization called Mind Head,"<ref>{{cite news | last =Holden | first =Stephen | coauthors = | title =CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; Laughs, Schmaffs. Does It Have an Edge? | work =] | pages = | language = | publisher =] | date =], ] | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> and the '']'' described Stamp as "the character actor behind the semi-Scientology guru in Bowfinger."<ref>{{cite news | last =Millar | first =Jeff | coauthors = | title =Good acting gives hard-to-follow `Limey' a boost | work =] | pages =Page 4 | language = | publisher =Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, LP | date =], ] | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> | | language = | publisher = | date =], ] | url =http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/1999/08/12/bowfinger/index.html | accessdate = 2007-12-18}}</ref> '']'' describes the Kit Ramsey character as "...petulant, paranoid and pampered, like any good star, and also a devotee of a Scientology-like religion."<ref>{{cite news | last =Booth | first =Michael | coauthors = | title =Martin skewers Hollywood | work =] | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =], ] | url =http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_6388695 | accessdate = 2007-12-18}}</ref> In a review in the '']'', Wesley Morris describes Ramsey's organization as "a mock-Scientology cult called MindHead - a bit that sprung from Martin's own issues with MENSA."<ref>{{cite news | last =Morris | first =Wesley | coauthors = | title ="Bowfinger' has the touchMartin, Murphy make mincemeat out of Hollywood as a down-and-out producer and his "star' | work =] | pages = | language = | publisher =Hearst Newspapers | date =], ] | url =http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/examiner/archive/1999/08/13/WEEKEND870.dtl | accessdate = 2007-12-18}}</ref> The '']'' describes the MindHead organization "a rather thinly veiled but nevertheless amusing blast at Scientology,"<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | first = | coauthors = | title ='Bowfinger' Lacks Chemistry Between Martin, Murphy. | work =] | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =], ] | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> and the '']'' characterizes it as an "organization that comes across as a thinly veiled send-up of Scientology."<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | first = | coauthors = | title =Hollywood looks in the mirror, and laughs | work =] | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =], ] | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> The '']'' writes that Ramsey is "in the grip of a cult religion called Mind Head," which it calls "a rather close cousin of Scientology".<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | first = | coauthors = | title =Martin makes Murphy make magic; BOWFINGER | work =] | pages =Section: Features | language = | publisher = | date =], ] | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> A review in '']'' describes actor ]'s role in the film as "a Scientology-style guru,"<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | first = | coauthors = | title =Actor Terence Stamp makes the most of his film roles | work =] | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =], ] | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> '']'' referred to Stamp's character as "a cult leader for a Scientology-like organization called Mind Head,"<ref>{{cite news | last =Holden | first =Stephen | coauthors = | title =CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; Laughs, Schmaffs. Does It Have an Edge? | work =] | pages = | language = | publisher =] | date =], ] | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> and the '']'' described Stamp as "the character actor behind the semi-Scientology guru in Bowfinger."<ref>{{cite news | last =Millar | first =Jeff | coauthors = | title =Good acting gives hard-to-follow `Limey' a boost | work =] | pages =Page 4 | language = | publisher =Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, LP | date =], ] | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> | ||
| Writer Steve Martin told the '']'' "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."<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | first = | coauthors = | title =Steve Martin on Scientology | work =] | pages = | language = | publisher = | date = ], ] | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 06:04, 19 December 2007
This article is about a comedy film. For the offensive UK/Commonwealth gesture, see V sign. 1999 film| Bowfinger | |
|---|---|
 The movie poster for Bowfinger. | |
| Directed by | Frank Oz |
| Written by | Steve Martin |
| Produced by | Brian Grazer |
| Starring | Steve Martin Eddie Murphy |
| Music by | David Newman |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date | August 13 1999 |
| Running time | 97 min. |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $55,000,000 (estimated) |
Bowfinger is a 1999 film directed by Frank Oz about a down-and-out filmmaker in Hollywood. It was written by and stars Steve Martin.
Plot synopsis
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 disturbing 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 cheap martial arts movie called "Fake Purse Ninjas" starring Bowfinger and Jiff Ramsey.
MindHead compared to Church of Scientology
In reviews of the film, some critics compared the fictional organization "MindHead" to the Church of Scientology. Paul Clinton writes 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 writes 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 describes the Kit Ramsey character as "...petulant, paranoid and pampered, like any good star, and also a devotee of a Scientology-like religion." In a review in the San Francisco Chronicle, Wesley Morris describes Ramsey's organization as "a mock-Scientology cult called MindHead - a bit that sprung from Martin's own issues with MENSA." The Albuquerque Journal describes the MindHead organization "a rather thinly veiled but nevertheless amusing blast at Scientology," and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram characterizes it as an "organization that comes across as a thinly veiled send-up of Scientology." The Daily Record writes that Ramsey is "in the grip of a cult religion called Mind Head," which it calls "a rather close cousin of Scientology". A review in The Dallas Morning News describes actor Terrence Stamp's role in the film as "a Scientology-style guru," The New York Times referred to Stamp's character as "a cult leader for a Scientology-like organization called Mind Head," and the Houston Chronicle described Stamp as "the character actor behind the semi-Scientology guru in Bowfinger."
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."
References
- 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - Staff (July 28, 1999). "Steve Martin on Scientology". New York Daily News.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help)
External links
| Films directed by Frank Oz | |
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| Scientology in popular culture | |
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