The Muse (1999)
3.5/4
"Daddy" Steven's daughter says to him, "what's a humanitarian?" "It's somebody who's never won the Oscar," Steven says cheerfully.
"The Muse" is about Steven (Albert Brooks), a struggling screenwriter, who, according to his manager, is "past his prime" even though he just won a Humanitarian award. To help bridge himself back together, he meets a writing 'muse' (Sharon Stone) to help him, from the recommendation of his friend Jack (Jeff Bridges). Things go awry from there, as the 'muse' begins to help everybody around Steven but him with his desperate screenplay.
I've already seen "The Muse" twice - it's a real triumph for Albert Brooks. It is hilariously on the mark, yet incredibly entertaining. There's a lot of things I like about this movie, especially the celebrity cameos, like ones from Martin Scorsese and James Cameron. When they show up, this movie is truly awesome. The movie has a lot of laughs, also, and a particularly clever idea and a brilliant ending. I wouldn't say "The Muse" is top form Brooks, but this is an example of a brilliant lesser effort. "The Muse" isn't perfect, but it's a gem. I like movies like "The Muse" - you laugh, you laugh some more, you're entertained, and by the last 15 minutes, you wonder what's gonna happen next. Seeing it a second time, I had the same experience as the first time - it's a savory, superb, unpredictable Hollywood satire that's a little ahead of its time. The movie reminded me of Larry David and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" - I don't need to say anymore, do I?
3.5/4
"Daddy" Steven's daughter says to him, "what's a humanitarian?" "It's somebody who's never won the Oscar," Steven says cheerfully.
"The Muse" is about Steven (Albert Brooks), a struggling screenwriter, who, according to his manager, is "past his prime" even though he just won a Humanitarian award. To help bridge himself back together, he meets a writing 'muse' (Sharon Stone) to help him, from the recommendation of his friend Jack (Jeff Bridges). Things go awry from there, as the 'muse' begins to help everybody around Steven but him with his desperate screenplay.
I've already seen "The Muse" twice - it's a real triumph for Albert Brooks. It is hilariously on the mark, yet incredibly entertaining. There's a lot of things I like about this movie, especially the celebrity cameos, like ones from Martin Scorsese and James Cameron. When they show up, this movie is truly awesome. The movie has a lot of laughs, also, and a particularly clever idea and a brilliant ending. I wouldn't say "The Muse" is top form Brooks, but this is an example of a brilliant lesser effort. "The Muse" isn't perfect, but it's a gem. I like movies like "The Muse" - you laugh, you laugh some more, you're entertained, and by the last 15 minutes, you wonder what's gonna happen next. Seeing it a second time, I had the same experience as the first time - it's a savory, superb, unpredictable Hollywood satire that's a little ahead of its time. The movie reminded me of Larry David and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" - I don't need to say anymore, do I?