Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- quirky
- witty
- warm
- lazy sunday
- light date night
What critics said
Critics found the film fresh, idiosyncratic, and smartly satirical, but broadly agreed that its unusual premise often felt emotionally distant and failed to generate consistent laughs.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Steven's career crisis unfolds among agents, executives, directors, actors, and writers, several appearing as themselves or in cameo roles.
Steven seeks help from Sarah Little, the mythical Zeus's Daughter, whose advice revives his stalled screenwriting.
Steven must pay an increasingly burdensome price for Sarah's creative assistance, while her influence also reshapes Laura's ambitions.
Steven's sacrifices for his screenplay clash with Laura's emerging bakery enterprise and her own desire for fulfillment.
Films like The Muse, and why
The Player
Both are witty, self-aware comedies about Hollywood professionals confronting creative and personal insecurity.
Defending Your Life
Both combine fantasy premises with romantic comedy and gently surreal observations about belief, relationships, and adult self-doubt.
Heart and Souls
Both use an unconventional supernatural figure to catalyze personal change while balancing comedy with relationship themes.
Movie Details
- Director
- Albert Brooks
- Release Date
- 1999-08-27
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 5.2 / 10 (158)
Cast
- Albert Brooks
- Sharon Stone
- Andie MacDowell
- Jeff Bridges
- Cybill Shepherd
- Monica Mikala
- Jamie Alexis
- Marnie Shelton
- Catherine MacNeal
- Mark Feuerstein
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Muse about?
- A blocked Hollywood screenwriter hires a capricious mythic muse whose inspiration transforms both his career and his marriage.
- What is The Muse like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Muse as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Muse violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Muse.
- What did critics think of The Muse?
- Critics found the film fresh, idiosyncratic, and smartly satirical, but broadly agreed that its unusual premise often felt emotionally distant and failed to generate consistent laughs.
- Which films are like The Muse?
- Films with a similar feel include The Player, Defending Your Life, and Heart and Souls.
- How long is The Muse?
- The Muse runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Muse?
- In United States, The Muse streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
