The Muse (1999)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

Albert Brooks

Writers (WGA):

Albert Brooks (written by) &
Monica Mcgowan Johnson (written by)

Release Date:

27 August 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

In Goddess we trust.

Plot:

A comedy about a neurotic screenwriter and his modern-day muse.

Plot Keywords:

Muse | Hollywood | Directed By Star | Tampon | Satire

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

Cast

Albert Brooks	...	Steven Phillips
Sharon Stone	...	Sarah Little
Andie MacDowell	...	Laura Phillips
Jeff Bridges	...	Jack Warrick
Cybill Shepherd	...	Cybill Shepherd
Monica Mikala	...	Julie Phillips
Jamie Alexis	...	Mary Phillips
Marnie Shelton	...	Jennifer
Catherine MacNeal	...	Anne
Mark Feuerstein	...	Josh Martin
Lorenzo Lamas	...	Lorenzo Lamas
Jennifer Tilly	...	Herself
Bradley Whitford	...	Hal
Skip O'Brien	...	Universal Studio Guard
Aude Charles	...	Spielberg Secretary #1

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for brief nudity.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | South Korea:15 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #36616) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Canada:G (Quebec) | Chile:14 | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Hong Kong:IIA | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Aquarium of the Pacific - 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, California, USA

Company:

October Films

Goofs:

Continuity: Sarah's arm is resting on the arm of the chair when viewed from behind and resting in her lap when viewed from the front.

Quotes:

Martin Scorsese: I want to do a remake of "Raging Bull" with a really thin guy. Not just thin, but REALLY thin. Thin and angry, thin and angry, thin and angry. Can you see it? Can you see it?
Steven Phillips: Kind of.
Martin Scorsese: Is there a Starbucks near here?
Steven Phillips: I'd be careful. I think you had your quota.
Martin Scorsese: Quota! That gives me an idea for something else entirely. I don't know you, we never had this conversation, we never met.
[walks off]
Steven Phillips: Hey, I sent you a script a few years ago.
Martin Scorsese: Never got it.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Tracey Fragments (2007)

Soundtrack:

Super Freak

Amusing for movie buffs

Albert Brooks's The Muse may be under-rated, but I found it OK. Brooks has always made movies that are good for a feel-food time, and this is a good example. Brooks plays a troubled writer who needs help to get his edge, so he gets a Muse (Sharon Stone is not her best, but good at being annoying) who inspires to do things. Cute comedy has many cameos some movie buffs might find hilarious. I find it entertaining. Cameos include James F. Cameron, Jennifer Tilly, Rob Reiner, Steven Wright (not as himself but he gives the funniest part as Stan Spielberg) and in the best cameo of the year, Martin Scorsese as himself, who interests Brooks in a remake of Raging Bull "Thin and Angry." Worth a gander, but not as many laughs as Bowfinger. A