The Muse

Director: Albert Brooks Albert Brooks

Overview

Actor/writer/director Albert Brooks turns his satiric gaze on the film industry in this comedy about a screenwriter who has hit a rough patch. Steven Philips (played by Brooks) has enjoyed a celebrated career in Hollywood, but one day he has a meeting with his agent, who informs him his career is suddenly going nowhere. Steven quickly finds himself at the end of his rope and is unable to put a decent sentence on paper. Desperate, he hears that there's a bona fide muse in Hollywood, Sarah (played by Sharon Stone), who might be able to help with his problems. The writer contacts Sarah, hoping a good, stong dose of inspiration will get his career back on track. However, Sarah's late hours and endless demands don't do much to help Steven's relationship with his wife (Andie MacDowell). The Muse features an original musical score by Elton John, and cameos by several notable film figures, including Martin Scorsese, Rob Reiner, and James Cameron.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/04/2010
UPC:	0025192049699
Original Release:	1999
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:37:00
Sales rank:	29,406

Special Features

Featurette; Trailers

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Albert Brooks	Steven Phillips
Sharon Stone	Sarah Liddle
Andie MacDowell	Laura Phillips
Jeff Bridges	Jack Warrick
Mark Feuerstein	Josh Martin
Steven Wright	Stan Spielberg
Bradley Whitford	Hal
Mario Opinato	European Man
Dakin Matthews	Dr. Jacobson
Concetta Tomei	Nurse Rennert
Monica Mikala	Julie Phillips
Catherine MacNeal	Anne
Lorenzo Lamas	Himself
Jennifer Tilly	Herself
Cybill Shepherd	Herself
James Cameron	Himself
Martin Scorsese	Himself
Jamie Alexis	Mary Phillips
Marnie Shelton	Jennifer
Skip O'Brien	Universal Studio Guard
Aude Charles	Spielberg Secretary
Ange Billman	Spielberg Secretary No. 2
Gannon Daniels	Spielberg Secretary No. 3
Jennie Ventriss	Older Secretary
Bobby Ender	Boy at Sarah's House
Stacy Travis	Phyllis
Michele Crosby Jones	Tiffany Saleswoman
Paul C. Jensen	Four Seasons Porter
Steve Valentine	Four Seasons Asst. Manager
Greg Grunberg	Four Seasons Hotel Security
Rob Reiner	Himself
Alexandra Kaplan	Rob Reiner's Daughter
Steven Anthony Lawrence	Rob Reiner's Son
Wolfgang Puck	Himself
Jill Tobin	Female Attendant
Walter Williamson	Bruno
A.J. Orta	Boy in Cookie Store
Elton John	Composer

Technical Credits

Albert Brooks

Monica Johnson

Albert Brooks	Director,Screenwriter
Monica Johnson	Screenwriter
Barry Berg	Executive Producer
Herb Nanas	Producer
Victoria Burrows	Casting
Kim Ornitz	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

A charming comedy from co-writer/director and star Albert Brooks, this high-concept fantasy isn't as sharp as his more acerbic works (although some nice jabs are taken at the movie business). This is the stuff of later career Brooks and so lacks the almost-too-painful-to-watch quality of his more surgically precise early works. Fluffier and more situation comedy in conception it may be, but it's just as funny and quarries much of its humor, as do all of Brooks' films, from the psychological bugaboos of its protagonists. Sharon Stone is perfectly cast as the deranged Greek goddess of the title, Brooks and his co-writer Monica Johnson leaving little doubt that what they're actually sending up is the spoiled pampering of Hollywood divas. Brooks is his familiar self, long-suffering and neurotic, if not quite as lacerating and slightly more self-assured than his usual characters. Still, there are some classic moments here, including a meeting with Steven Spielberg's cousin, a nightmarish gathering with Wolfgang Puck at Spago, and a late-night salad delivery gone awry. The Muse (1999) may lack the bite of its creator's best work, but even a middling comedy from Brooks is a treat to be savored.