Bowfinger
Universal Pictures | Release Date: August 13, 1999 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
73
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews
Positive:
26
Mixed:
7
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
Smoothly directed and acted with glee... showing quick-witted comic spirit. Read full review
75
San Francisco ExaminerWesley Morris
Priceless enough to flush "Metro," "Dr. Dolittle" and "Holy Man" from memory. Read full review
50
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
Never hits a note of high hilarity. Read full review
63
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
Amiable bundle of broad, easy laughs rather than bitingly fierce satire. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
Enjoyable but thin. Read full review
90
L.A. WeeklyManohla Dargis
A terrifically clever film; has a soft-boilded heart. Read full review
40
SalonAndrew O'Hehir
Mechanical plot that seems dull even before it laboriously clanks and screeches into motion. Read full review
70
VarietyTodd McCarthy
So lunatic that it creates as much puzzled disbelief as it does carefree delight. Read full review
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Bowfinger is mediocre . . . can be irksome, tedious, and hard to sit through. Read full review
90
Rolling StonePeter Travers
Inspired funny business that allows Martin to hilariously torpedo Hollywood's corrupt heart.
91
Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam Arnold
One terrific comedy that doesn't let up for an instant... a total hoot. Read full review
100
TimeRichard Schickel
Perhaps the funniest movie for grownups so far this year.
83
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
Offers a lot of laughs, a heartwarming core.
50
Dallas ObserverHinson
With the exception of Murphy . . . the rest of the cast Oz has assembled acquit themselves only adequately or worse. Read full review
100
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
Spoofy and sweet... endearingly old-fashioned.
75
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
One of the best and funniest things that Martin, as writer and actor, has ever done. Read full review
75
USA TodayMike Clark
Aside from the "Nutty Professor," this is the funniest Murphy comedy since the Reagan Administration.
88
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
One of those comedies where everything works. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
Has it's share of downtime.
75
New York PostJonathan Foreman
Bowfinger's terrific set-pieces... more than make up for the odd weak moment or thin performance.
50
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
Feels soft without being especially affectionate, and only sporadically funny. Read full review
63
Miami HeraldRene Rodriguez
Certainly pleasant, but it's also a bit safe.
100
San Francisco ChronicleBob Graham
A venemous Valentine to Hollywood sugarcoated with laughs. Read full review
90
NewsweekDavid Ansen
Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy are both in peak form. Read full review
50
Austin ChronicleSarah Hepola
Just enough laughs to keep you from feeling blatantly shortchanged. Read full review
100
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Disciplined script -- bitingly funny. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeJay Carr
Just enough laughs to keep you watching. Read full review
76
Mr. ShowbizElanore Snow
Savy script... terrific performances... [yet] the movie's herky jerky pacing may leave you wanting.
75
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
One of the reasons the move is so funny is that it is only a few degrees away from real life. Read full review
80
Film.comTed Fry
A good-natured farce. It's also really, really funny. Read full review
88
Baltimore SunMilton Kent
As close to a perfect piece of satire as filmmakers have seen in quite some time.
95
TNT RoughCutM. Meghan McCarthy
One of the funniest films of the year... enough laugh-out-loud moments.
60
Washington PostRita Kempley
Lacks emotional depth and intellectual sincerity. Read full review
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