THE MUSE
US, 1999, 95 minutes, Colour.
Albert Brooks, Sharon Stone, Andie Mc Dowell, Jeff Bridges, Martin Scorsese, Rob Reiner, Jim Cameron.
Directed by Albert Brooks.
The Muse is an entertaining spoof of Hollywood. Albert Brooks, as in so many of his films (Real Life, Lost in America, Defending Your Life, Mother) is a forlorn type - this time a screenwriter whose work is being rejected by the studios. His friend, Jeff Bridges, advises him to consult a muse. She is played by Sharon Stone, a wilful inspiring type who needs the best of accommodation, especially for sleeping, and gifts of jewellery.
In fact, she does inspire the writer - although she has him running hither and yon for tasks but then moves into the family home. She also inspires the writer's wife, Andie McDowell?, to become the creator of cookies that she had always dreamt and build up her business.
The film relies on the fact that Hollywood people would believe that Sharon Stone was a real muse - although it is revealed that she has a personality disorder and is on the run from an institution. However, she does achieve what everybody wants and they become their better selves.
Albert Brooks has a good ear for dialogue as well as a humorous kind of shaggy-dog humour. There are very amusing cameos from Rob Reiner, Jim Cameron (wondering whether he should do a sequel to Titanic) and Martin Scorsese, who wants to consult the muse about remaking Raging Bull.
1.Entertaining Hollywood comedy? Filmmaking, filmmaking types, the mythology of Hollywood, the unreal world of Hollywood?
2.Hollywood locations, the studios, the aquarium, the family home, restaurants? Authentic atmosphere? Musical score?
3.Albert Brooks and his comedy style, acting, writing, directing? The opening speech, his humanitarian award, the irony of such awards, his Jim Cameron-Titanic? joke falling flat?
4.The wheeler-dealing of Hollywood, the double talk, the producers, the agents? Their rejecting his action show, the reasons? The effect on Stephen? Josh the agent, Hal? His being sacked?
5.The jargon of the criticism of his work? Sending him on to various personalities and the irony of Steven Spielberg's cousin Stan, the meeting, the long walk for the parking?
6.His relationship with Laura, the children? Their supporting his writing career? Laura and her advice?
7.Going to Jack, his wealth and style, success? Their friendship? The introduction to the muse after he glimpsed her? Jack's story, the set-up in the guesthouse? Sarah as a muse?
8.The short meeting, Sarah putting Stephen off? The importance of gifts, Tiffany's - and the irony of his buying the gift and its being so small?
9.The discussions, the visit to the aquarium, her actually inspiring him with ideas, Jim Carrey and the comedy, the evolving of the plot? The irony of her seeing Rob Reiner and the talk about the American President and the Truman Show?
10.Sarah, her accommodation and demands, the hotel, sleeping, wanting sandwiches, ringing Stephen in the middle of the night?
11.The discussions with Laura, the meal, their becoming good friends, Laura and her talk about her dreams of baking? Her memories of her family?
12.The discussions about accommodation, from the hotel to the house, from the guesthouse into the room, sleeping in the bed and Laura's reaction? Painting the room? The impositions on Stephen and his reaction?
13.Sarah and Laura shopping, setting up the cooking in the kitchen, the children participating? Stephen arguing about the cooking and wanting things to go back to normal? Going to Spargo's and Laura being hired, the party to celebrate her cooking?
14.Jack and his warnings about Sarah and the tennis game, not irritating Sarah - and her reaction?
15.The second visit to the aquarium, the sick fish, the humorous response of the agent - and his own weak jokes?
16.James Cameron visiting the muse for the sequel to Titanic? Martin Scorsese and the discussions about remaking Raging Bull, thin?
17.The discussions about Zeus, Sarah seeing herself as a muse, her fully believing this?
18.The party, Stephen talking with the Italian and his getting all the words mixed up about Stephen's career?
19.The doctor and the nurse, their arrival, the truth about Sarah, Albert and his disbelief, Laura's reaction? Their laughing about Sarah as a muse?
20.Stephen and his success, going to make the film - and the irony of Sarah working in the movie company?
21.A satire on Hollywood, American style and beliefs, moviemaking? The humour of the characters, situations, lines?
