The
Muse (1999)
In what could be the worse supposedly "intelligent
comedy" I've ever seen, Albert Brooks plays a has-been
screenplay writer who has a Muse enter his life to inspire
him. This is a marvelous idea. And with Brooks' wit
and imagination and Woody Allen-esque neurosis, the
film should be awesome. But instead, sadly, Brooks does
not know where to go with the idea. It's a shame and
a waste.
For starters he does well by casting Andie McDowell
as his wife and Sharon Stone as the Muse. He even gets
an awesome actor like Jeff Bridges into the plot. And
he makes the wife and the Muse friends, after the expected
initial friction. This isn't a film about a married
man's midlife crisis or anything but it should be. Instead,
Brooks doesn't do anything funny with his original idea
and, worse yet, misses out on an awesome opportunity
for a great plot twist. How bout this? Since the wife
and the Muse get so close in the film, this causes some
marital strife and friction which allows Brooks to reevaluate
his cushy, pampered, complacency and makes him question
the choices he has made and the rut he has fallen into.
He gets so wrapped up in his frustration and his lack
of control that he pours forth a masterpiece of unparalleled
insight and accessibility. Everyone wins.
Having written his masterwork, he is able to continue
his work and his life in a better situation since his
"insight." Sound good huh? Brooks doesn't even come
close. The insane ending Brooks tacks on to this film
is supposed to be Hollywood, I guess. It does not work.
The whole film gets tired.
Brooks taps several of Hollywood's elite to do cameos
and Martin Scorsese turns in an excellent one. But in
his effort to be similar to the film, "The Player,"
Brooks sets himself up to fail. His character isn't
"Hollywood" enough to fall for the stereotypical "out"
Brooks provides.
In the film, Brook's character achieves his aim by
writing a ridiculous vehicle that is supposedly for
Jim Carrey. The newly respected actor, whose "Truman
Show" is mentioned here, wouldn't touch the dreck Brooks
comes up with, about a schlub inheriting an Sea World
type aquarium, for a second. Worse yet is the idea that
Brooks' character would be pleased with himself for
writing such inane schtick. Brooks also calls on Elton
John to do the score, and the result is an average classically
tinged soundtrack. It doesn't help.
"The Muse" shows a true lack of inspiration, pretty
much in every respect.
Notes: Also with Steven Wright. With cameos by Wolfgang
Puck, James Cameron, Lorenzo Lamas, Jennifer Tilly,
Rob Reiner, and Cybil Shepherd.
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