Bottle Rocket poster & wallpaper

Andrew Wilson, Bob Musgrave, Brian Tenenbaum

Three friends share dreams of the lives they wish they had. Anthony wishes he had someone to love. Bob yearns for the family he can no longer return to. Dignan wants to distinguish himself in the dice...( read more  read more... )y world of crime. Anthony, Bob and Dignan will get what they want but in ways they never imagined.

Flixster Users

81% liked it

17,598 ratings

Critics

79% liked it

42 critics

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Wes Anderson

Release Date: February 23, 1996

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DVD Release Date: December 22, 1998

Stats: 3,294 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,294)

  • flixsterman
    October 6, 2009
    flixsterman
    Overly polite white guys aspire (unsuccessfully) to be criminal masterminds. Director Wes Anderson skews the flow of the film just enough to keep it slightly off-center thus avoiding all the cliches that normally accompany such films. Add to that the witty, sometimes hilarious...( read more), performances from brothers Luke and Owen Wilson and you've got a movie that is definitely worth seeing.
  • SirPant
    September 2, 2009
    SirPant
    Wes Anderson's first film is brilliant. His direction isn't quite to the same level as his more recent films but its interesting to see how his style evolves. Its the performances that make this film really great though, Owen Wilson has never been better in my opinion. An under r...( read more)ated, over looked classic.
  • TheMachinist
    March 31, 2009
    TheMachinist
    "His out. You're out, too. And I don't think I'm in either."

    Wes Anderson has always been a favourite of mine and now, after watching his debut feature, I've finally watched each and every one of his films.

    "Bottle Rocket" is based on his same titled short film. Written by Owen...( read more) Wilson and Wes Anderson, the film was initially planned to have well known actors but Anderson decided to go with the Wilson brothers, Owen and Luke. Both of 'em made their first acting roles in a feature film.

    The film will probably not be enjoyed by all. I liked the film very much but the inexperience of both Anderson and the, at that time, amateur actors can be seen.

    The story develops nicely, although it does seem a bit out of focus at times. Some really entertaining acts are featured here, especially the final scenes involving a heist that goes totally berserk.

    Wes Anderson is today one of the most talented indie filmmakers. He's line of work is something that some may find hard to enjoy. "Bottle Rocket" was a fun ride for me and also another type of enjoyment was to watch Owen Wilson develop into the actor that many film buffs admire.

    For those who decide to watch this will surely have a nice 90 minutes ahead of them. And fans of the filmmakers will love it!
  • her69eyes
    March 20, 2009
    her69eyes
    Since "Bottle Rocket"'s release in 1996, Wes Anderson has evolved into modern cinema's indie darling. With soundtracks featuring the latest rockers, scripts loaded with deadpan humor, and an exuberance of that Sundance quirkiness, it's no wonder that Anderon's work has been embra...( read more)ced by the 20-something hipster crowd. While his work has largely stagnated as of late (with "The Darjeeling Limited" being the prime example that the formula has run it's course), it's important to remember that he's still a significant filmmaker with a unique vision. "Bottle Rocket", although predictable and familiar, was a fitting precursor to a career of strange, quick-witted, and offbeat cult classics.

    As the film opens, Dignan (Owen Wilson) is helping his brother, Anthony (Luke Wilson), escape from a mental institution. Unaware that Anthony's stay was of his own will, Dignan sits in the bushes and gives signals on a crowded lawn in broad daylight. Although Anthony can just as easily leave through the front door, he complies with an escape out of the window only to satisfy his brother's vision.

    Dignan tells Anthony of the 75-year-plan that he has scribbled into a notebook. His plan is a career of crime, and Anthony, for whatever reason, goes along with it. The first big target is a bookstore, and the two bring along a friend, Bob (Robert Musgrave), as their getaway driver. After the heist goes well, the crew make their way to a motel to lay low. During the stay, Anthony falls in love with one of the maids, Inez (Lumi Cavazos).

    There are not many surprises in "Bottle Rocket". You know that Anthony and Dignan are going to go through a rough patch, perhaps because of a woman, and that at the end of the film one of the brothers will likely take the fall for the other. That being said, the trip getting there was largely enjoyable. The bookstore robbery is very well done and quite funny, as is the last heist which is a robbery on a much larger scale.

    My problem with the film is that no one is worth caring about outside of Anthony and Inez. Dignan seems to exist only to be apart of gags (he's always wearing a yellow jumpsuit later on in the film), and the characters of Bob, his brother, and the criminal played by James Caan seem to have walked in from another movie entirely. I would have preferred to see a film that centers solely on Luke Wilson's character falling for a hotel maid, as those moments were certainly the best of the film.

    "Bottle Rocket" is entertaining while it lasts, but it's the kind of disposable entertainment that you'll forget about a week after you see it. It's release from the Criterion Collection is available on both DVD and blu-ray.
  • DrZeek
    December 7, 2008
    DrZeek
    Dignan: They'll never catch me... because I'm fucking innocent.

    Every time I watch this movie, it gets funnier. It has such a quirky sense of humor about things and the Wilson brothers have such a likable innocence about them.

    The premise is very simple, Three guys, who have no...( read more) aim in life, dream of becoming criminals, for no real reason.

    Owen and Luke Wilson star, in Wes Anderson's first movie which plays a lot like an inside joke that only so many can get, but if you do get it, and see it more and more, it just seems to become funnier.

    Luke Wilson starts the film leaving a voluntary mental hospital, and is a generally nice guy who just needs direction.

    Anthony: One morning, over at Elizabeth's beach house, she asked me if I'd rather go water-skiing or lay out. And I realized that not only did I not want to answer THAT question, but I never wanted to answer another water-sports question, or see any of these people again for the rest of my life.

    Owen Wilson is a guy who has all the confidence in the world, but no idea how to do anything.

    Dignan: Here are just a few of the key ingredients: dynamite, pole vaulting, laughing gas, choppers - can you see how incredible this is going to be? - hang gliding, come on!

    Together with another friend Bob, who is dominated by his bullying brother, they pull off a small heist and try to live lives on the run. During this time the boys stay at a motel in the middle of nowhere, and Luke Wilson's character forms a relationship with one of the housekeepers.

    Eventually the boys become involved with James Caan's character, Mr. Henry, who is also in on the joke of this movie, so he makes things work, and has a few lines of dialogue in particular that are too funny to reveal.

    Wes Anderson's style is apparent here, by way of the soundtrack, quirky humor, and attention to detail that makes his other movies good as well.

    This is a good, fun, cult movie that can be understandingly polarizing for audiences, but hey...I get it, and I like it.

    Bob: Wha - why is there tape on your nose?
    Dignan: Exactly!
  • dukeakasmudge
    November 6, 2009
    dukeakasmudge
    If your having trouble getting to sleep, Watch this movie
  • rajiv23gooners
    October 11, 2009
    rajiv23gooners
    very funny and entertaining, love the sense of humor, i'm looking forward to see another wes anderson's movie..
  • femmelegere
    October 9, 2009
    femmelegere
    It's completely backwards to think this is the last Anderson film I've seen considering its the first. Its rad to see how it all started.
  • thenewchapter
    October 1, 2009
    thenewchapter
    It was Wes Anderson's first, and it was good. But I've enjoyed his later films even more.
  • logangowdy
    September 24, 2009
    logangowdy
    Simple, witty and, at times, laugh out loud funny early film from Wes Anderson. Co written by Owen Wilson.
    Doesn't really go anywhere but but an enjoyable ride non-the-less.

View All Bottle Rocket Reviews

Critic Reviews

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

I can't recommend the film -- it's too unwound and indulgent -- but I have a certain affection for it, and I'm looking forward to whatever Anderson and the Wilsons do next. full review

January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

A grueling, numbing black hole. full review

View more Bottle Rocket reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • junkmail176
    October 15, 2008
    junkmail176
    Interview with the artist (Ian Dingman!) behind the Criterion Collection release of BOTTLE ROCKET: http://stickersanddonuts.com/2008/10/15/ian-dingman-cryptic-enigmatic-no-more-23/
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    August 17, 2008
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    Can't wait for the Criterion release!
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Bottle Rocket Trivia

  • Owen Wilson and Luke Wilson both made their acting debut in the same movie. Which movie was it?  Answer »
  • Name the director of Luke and Owen Wilsons breakthrough movie 'Bottle Rocket'?  Answer »
  • Which little known movie was partially written and starred Owen Wilson along with his brothers Luke and Andrew, Starting their careers?  Answer »
  • True or False: Wes Anderson wrote Bottle Rocket, Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums with good friend and fello Texas Alum, Owen Wilson  Answer »
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