The Next Big Thing is a 2001 romantic comedy film starring Marin Hinkle, Chris Eigeman, Jamie Harris, Connie Britton and Janet Zarish.

Gus Bishop is a talented but failing New York painter who lacks the marketing savvy to make it in today's art world.

After getting pick-pocketed in the subway, Gus' destiny is turned over into the hands of Deech—who promptly burglarizes his home and steals his paintings.

To capitalize on his stolen goods, Deech generates interest in Gus' work by creating Geoffrey Buonardi, a fictional artist with a fascinating profile.

[1] Lawrence Van Gelder of The New York Times called it "a deftly satisfying, comically coherent sendup of the world of art".