"THE MUSE"{1999}

Hollywood screenwriter "Steven Phillips" (Albert Brooks) is the recent recipient of a Humanitarian Award. "Steven" is quite pleased about being chosen for what he perceives as a gesture of honor and affection from his peers. The reality is even though it's presented to him by Cybill Shepherd in traditionally glitzy Hollywood banquet style,"Steven's" peer's perception of this award is as a pity #@!^. So he's got the award, and the following morning he takes a meeting with studio head "Josh" (Mark Feuerstein) to discuss his latest script submission. "Josh" moves the meeting from the studio offices to lunch at one of L.A's ubiquitously trendy restaurants. This should have been "Steven's" first clue. Needless to say "Josh" is not only not going to 'greenlight' "Steven's" script, he's cancelling his 3 picture deal. On top of all this "Steven" is currently struggling with writer's block. Yikes!

Albert Brooks once again is hilarious. Luckily for his fans only his onscreen alter-ego has writer's block. Good use of celebrity cameos too. I won't list them all here, but I will say all are very funny. My favorites are Steven Wright, Martin Scorsese, and Jennifer Tilly.

Jeff Bridges is "Steven's" friend "Jack Warrick". "Jack" turns "Steven" on to his Muse. You heard correctly---Muse. Sharon Stone was born to play this role. Luminous, funny, feminine, sexy, capricious, and you wouldn't have her any other way. The Emmanuel Ungaro wardrobe suits her perfectly. By the way, she's pretty nice in her birthday suit too.

Of course "Steven" has some 'splainin' to do to his Mrs.(Andie MacDowell), regarding his Muse. After careful consideration and knowing her husband's nature, she concludes he's not having an affair, and in fact is only consulting the Muse. Works out well for her too, as she begins to let her own creative juices flow.

I did have a few problems with the continuity of the film's storyline. If "Steven" had already inked a 3 picture deal with the studio, how is it that they're not going to pay his salary when the pictures are shelved? There's also a scene with a psychiatric doctor and nurse ( I won't go into too much detail here lest I give away too much---you know my policy---no spoilers) but any joker could say they're a doctor or nurse. Let's see some credentials people! I don't expect you to carry your diploma around with you but you must have something in your wallet that identifies you as a licensed healthcare giver. But that's just me, I'm a stickler for things like that, and even in a fictional situation I ascribe to the "question authority" adage. Also I found Elton John's music at the end of the movie to be a bit syrupy. But as I said earlier, Albert Brooks is extremely funny, and so is The Muse. See it, you'll be inspired.