BOWFINGER is a great movie. It's fun and it's funny, so much so that there are times when uncontrollable laughter is the only possible response.

The title refers to a wanna-be producer named Bowfinger. When we meet him he's hunched over a script written by his Iranian accountant. Declaring it brilliant, he launches into full production mode; pulling together a motley crew--even more motley than most--comprising VERY gullible actors, illegal immigrant camera and sound crew and a buddy in a million who manages to "borrow" whatever Bowfinger needs.

Armed with the crew, Bowfinger just needs to rope in big league support, so he flaunts his wares to studio exec. Robert Downey Junior. Now Downey sees through Bowfinger very quickly--even without the obvious clues--but plays along with the game, saying that if he can get Kit Ramsey, the hottest star of the moment, he's got a deal. Kit Ramsey--played by Eddie Murphy--naturally will have nothing to do with Bowfinger, but that's not a problem, Bowfinger makes the movie around him. The actors walk up and speak their lines to a clueless Ramsey, whose reactions become integral to the film, which looks remarkably like something Ed Wood might direct.

The problem is that Kit has some psychological problems, and being approached by weird people speaking strange dialogue sends his paranoia out of control. So Bowfinger has to find a Kit Ramsey double, which he does, with a guy named Jiff--also played by Eddie Murphy.

Now the film moves along rather nicely without Jiff--there's plenty of action and many a comic moment, but with Jiff, things really take off. The scene that will stay with me for a long long time, is the one where Bowfinger directs Jiff to run across the busy LA freeway. A mix of physical comedy and human reaction it could not be better.

The combination of Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy really clicks in Bowfinger. Both can be rather extremist, but together they seem to bring a perfect balance of wit, parody, and comedy. I loved this movie. I came out of the theatre smiling and still chuckle when I think back to various scenes. I wholeheartedly recommend Bowfinger for its lightheartedness, and although the twists and turns of the movie are probably mostly formulaic, the comic genius of the two stars is stellar.