Star (2001)

In 2001 and 2002, BMW sponsored a series of 8 films all with the common theme that a BMW was prominently featured in it....and, of all things, Clive Owen starred in each one. For this odd experiment, some of the top directors in the world were somehow obtained--including John Woo, Ang Lee and even the great veteran director John Frankenheimer. While I don't think you'd consider Guy Richie a great director (mostly because his track record is still pretty short AND because he made "Swept Away"), I do think he showed greatness with this short film. Imagine....Richie made a film I liked more than one of my heroes, John Frankenheimer--and I really, really liked the Frankenheimer short.This film stars Richie's wife at the time, Madonna. Now I am not sure how much of this is the real Madonna and how much is just a fun parody--I certainly don't know the lady and can't comment on what she's like off stage! I hope this film is her way at poking fun of herself and celebrities! Regardless, it's a dandy film.It begins with Madonna (who is never mentioned by name, but she plays a mega-music star) getting ready to be driven to her next performance. In the process, she treats her employees like dirt and her attitude is contemptible. She truly is a horrid person in this film. However, what she doesn't know is that she's about to ride in a BMW M3--one of the hottest sports sedans in the world. My wife has a car with the same sports package and engine--and it is a rocket (this is NOT an ad for BMW, by the way--I like my non-German minivan, thank you very much!). But it's important to the story as the driver gets to use this car to teach this spoiled brat a little bit of humility!! Exquisitely acted, constructed and filmed--this is one impressive short film and I guess I have to give Richie another try--just NOT his "Sherlock Holmes" (as I am Holmes purist).

"STAR" is the most entertaining film of the great BMW film series. The ironic wit is great and the race through the city is superbly well done - everything fits here: the cinematography, the editing, the great music by Blur, the actors and of course the BMW M5 who gives the best performance of them all!Enjoy this ride - you won't be disappointed!10/10

This one is comedy done very well. Guy knows how to make us laugh! The ending is one of the best, and that car chase was the best bar none. The car chase alone made this short better than the whole movie "The Transporter"! Check out the rest of the films.

And I haven't got tired of watching it yet. I admit I didn't think it was REALLY Madonna in this little short but I guess it is. Clive Owen is quickly becoming the actor I would most like to see in other projects. Of course I hope that the projects are more substantial than this but if he were to sign up for something with Guy Ritchie I would be delighted.