The Muse Review
by Edward Johnson-ott (PBBP24A AT prodigy DOT com)August 24th, 1999
The Muse (1999)
Albert Brooks, Sharon Stone, Andie MacDowell, Jeff Bridges, Mark Feuerstein, Steven Wright, Bradley Whitford, Mario Opinato, Dakin Matthews, Concetta Tomei, James Cameron, Bobby Edner, Lorenzo Lamas, Wolfgang Puck, Rob Reiner, Martin Scorsese, Cybill Shepherd, Jennifer Tilly, Stacey Travis, Steve Valentine. Music by Elton John. Screenplay by Albert Brooks and Monica Johnson. Directed by Albert Brooks. 97 minutes. Rated PG-13, 2.5 stars (out of five stars)
Review by Ed Johnson-Ott, NUVO Newsweekly
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To best enjoy "The Muse," you need to get into the proper state of mind. First, forget the blurbs from quote whores proclaiming the film "hilarious" and "a laugh riot." It isn't. "Amusing," "pleasant" and "generally enjoyable" would be more appropriate terms. Second, lower your expectations. Because comedian-writer-actor-director Albert Brooks ("Lost in America," "Defending Your Life," "Mother") is held in such high regard, people tend to forget that while even the slightest of his films contains moments of comic genius, there are always numerous dead spots as well, even in the best of his works. And "The Muse" is not Albert Brooks at his best.
Directed and co-written by Brooks, this shaggy dog story is more low-key than his usual offerings, with many flat stretches. Still, there are rewards here, notably jabs at Hollywood mentality; well-placed cameos from Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Wolfgang Puck and others; Sharon Stone's fizzy performance in the title role; and, as always, the satisfaction of watching Brooks do wonderfully slow burns as his exasperation grows, building inevitably to deliciously juvenile outbursts.
This time around, Albert plays Steven Phillips, a screenwriter with 17 scripts and an Oscar nomination to his credit. After receiving a humanitarian award at a gala dinner, with his wife Laura (Andie MacDowell) and young daughters watching in pride, he goes into the studio the next morning, only to have his world crash around him. A smarmy junior executive casually informs Steven that he has lost his edge. Not only is the studio rejecting his current script, it has decided to release him from his three-picture deal.
In a panic, Steven races to the home of friend and fellow writer Jack Warrick (Jeff Bridges) for counsel. Moved by Steven's desperation, Jack confides the secret of his success. He is a client of Sarah (Sharon Stone), a genuine, daughter-of-Zeus Muse. Muses inspire creativity and Sarah is a hot commodity in the film community. After considerable badgering, Jack finally sets up a meeting between Steven and Sarah. In short order, Steven has his own Muse who lives up to her billing, but provides nonstop headaches along with inspiration.
The concept is solid enough, but the execution falters. After a juicy opening, the story meanders and the aimless feel is enervating. The witty vignettes that pop up every few minutes are welcome, but they also underline the weakness of the main plotline.
Part of the problem is Brooks himself. The comic actor always plays self- absorbed, self-pitying types (his film persona is essentially the West Coast equivalent of Woody Allen, minus the creepiness), but his Steven Phillips appears haggard and speaks in pessimistic terms even when things are going well.
While Brooks' zeal seems muted, he still delivers a number of sharp one- liners, particularly during his temper tantrums. Albert is a master at reacting to annoying characters, and he gets some world-class irritants here. He has some terrific exchanges with an oily Paramount exec (Mark Feuerstein) and a European partygoer (Mario Opinato) who twists the English language like a Bavarian pretzel.
There is a lot of old-fashioned shtick in "The Muse," as celebrities pop up for cameos tweaking their own images. "Titanic" director James Cameron has a cute bit and Martin Scorsese is a riot, babbling like a hyperactive loon about his insane concept for a "Raging Bull" remake.
Comic vignettes aside, it's the women who keep the film going. Andie MacDowell gives one of her most likable performances to date as Laura Phillips, who starts realizing her own potential while spending time with the Muse. As Sarah the Muse, Sharon Stone proves quite adept at comedy, deftly creating a character who is at once demanding and ditzy. Stone is clearly having the time of her life playing such an off-beat type, and her enthusiasm is most appreciated.
If only the film had as much energy as Stone. It starts off strong and has a clever ending, but oh, does the midsection ever sag. Were I a Muse, I'd have strongly suggested that Brooks and his longtime writing partner Monica Johnson do another draft or two, because even the languidly paced "Mother" looks perky compared to this.
After watching "The Muse," I'm reminded of the scene in which Steven is told that, while his script is serviceable, it lacks edge. That is exactly the trouble with this movie. "The Muse" is amusing, pleasant and generally enjoyable, which would be enough for most filmmakers, but from someone of Albert Brooks' caliber, we have a right to expect more.
© 1999 Ed Johnson-Ott
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