The Muse
Released by October Films

Directed by Albert Brooks

Starring Albert Brooks, Jeff Bridges, Sharon Stone, Andie McDowell

Reviewed by Rona Geller

The buzz around Hollywood today is that if you're a screenwriter over thirty, you're considered to be "Over the Hill". With that in mind, Albert Brooks created his delightful, smart comedy The Muse.

What is a Muse? Socrates credited them with inspiring the "Divine Madness" of the thinking man -- a creative force. These days, Muses come in the form of white powder, or pills found on every corner of Hollywood. In Brooks' case, she arrives in the form of Sharon Stone.

The movie opens with Steven Phillips (Brooks) getting fired and released from his contract with a major film studio. The firing is done by Josh (Mark Feuerstein), who is young enough to be Phillips' son. In a state of humorous desperation, Phillips seeks the help of his long-time friend, screenwriter Jack Warrick (Jeff Bridges). Jack confesses that his ongoing success, and the success of other Hollywood big shots, has been the product of Sarah (Sharon Stone), his own personal Muse. Eager to help Steven, Jack sets up an appointment for him with Sarah. She agrees to take Phillips on as a client as long as her needs are met. These needs run from a suite at the Four Seasons, to a chauffeured car, and eventually to a place within Steven's home. Sarah and Steven's wife, Laura (Andie McDowell) hit it off immediately. Laura becomes inspired to bake cookies, a dream she's always had but never followed. Once all this inspiration and creativity hits the Phillips house, the film becomes a hysterical battle of the egos, and wit at its finest.

Brooks, a master of dry wit (Mother) has done it again with his take on Hollywood in this film. What adds to it are hysterical cameos by Directors James Cameron, Martin Scorsese and Rob Reiner. Sharon Stone impressed me with her work -- she is actually funny!! It's about time somebody gave her an outlet to express this hidden talent of hers. Never being a fan of her past movies, I couldn't keep my eyes off of her as The Muse. The humor in this film is quite deadpan and Brooks delivers his lines with the best timing I've seen since Woody Allen's Deconstructing Harry. It is quite obvious that Brooks' Muse inspires him to think up some of the best comedy around today.