The Muse is sketch-comedy thin and features an overdone comic performance from Sharon Stone, making it Brooks' least satisfying film in quite a while.

What's most surprising about The Muse is how derivative, cliche-ridden and old-hat it is.

The screenplay, despite containing a number of droll one-liners and a pair of deliciously funny scenes, possesses a turgid, directionless feel. full review

One of Brooks' most broadly entertaining films. full review

Typically fresh and idiosyncratic in the writing but often flat directorially. full review

The central conflicts are either creepingly unengaging, unpalatable or so muted as to be nonexistent.

Perversely amusing! full review

There are bits in this movie that are so bright, so amusing and so truly, madly, deeply tied to a life most of us will never know, that you can't help watching the film with fascination. full review

An embarrassment. full review

It's good for some sterling one-liners and a generous handful of sparkling scenes, but after a strong, peppery start, the movie collapses into bland mush for want of anything interesting to say.

Albert Brooks pulls off a deft satire of Hollywood that benefits greatly from the clever casting of Sharon Stone. full review

Smart, funny -- and edgy. full review

It's imaginative enough to provide a reliable, pleasurable stream of chuckles and midsized laughs.

A knockout satire! full review