Bottle Rocket

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Bottle Rocket

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Bottle Rocket

Andrew Wilson, Bob Musgrave, Brian Tenenbaum, Darryl Cox, Dipak Pallana

A bright, optimistic caper comedy from first-time director Wes Anderson, Bottle Rocket focuses on a group of young Texans aspiring to become master thieves. Their leader is Dignan (Owen C. Wilson, who...( read more  read more... ) also co-wrote the screenplay), an upbeat if naive charmer who convinces his friends Anthony (Wilson's brother Luke Wilson) and Bob Mapplethorpe (Robert Musgrave) to enter the crime business. After their first heist, a bizarrely-executed robbery of a local bookstore, the trio goes on the lam, taking up residence in a border hotel where Anthony falls in love with a maid played by Lumi Cavazos. When the three buddies decide that they need to return to the real world, they hook up with a master con-man (James Caan) who sends them on a daring -- if ill-concieved -- mission.~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide

Id: 10217308

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Bottle Rocket Recent Reviews
  • 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!
  • misomusist
    December 11, 2009
    misomusist
    So unabashedly optimistic, this film lifts me from my miserable human existence to a happy place, a degree or two above reality, where I'm slurping a slushy with Digman as we ebulliently talk about our lives.

    Seriously, this film embodies youthful exuberance and the hope of doi...( read more)ng great things now. Though Dignan has misplaced his zest for life into petty crime, it ain't what these guys do, it's how they do it that infects me.

    Clever dialogue, sly and subtle wit, the story of young friends trying to make something of their lives oozes creativity and humour.

    A very impressive debut from a very young Wes Anderson.
  • neagamb
    December 8, 2009
    neagamb
    not bad...I'm very sursprised to see owen's short hair... I've read that Martin Scorsese placed Bottle Rocket on his list of the ten best films of the 1990s, which gives some indication of the respect accorded to this little-seen film...
  • jam233
    December 8, 2009
    jam233
    I am not a fan of Wes Anderson at all, but this is one of his better efforts. What makes this film work is the chemistry of the stars and very nicely developed characters. They are likable and real people. Good story, very appealing performances from everyone. Very well done.
  • agentsnash
    November 21, 2009
    agentsnash
    This movie is so great purely because of the characters. Out of all the Wes Anderson movies, I think this movie has his best characters. Dignan cracks me up.
  • ythelastman89
    November 16, 2009
    ythelastman89
    Wes Anderson's first movie and a great one at that. It is a refreshing comedy that is completely unique. The story is outrageous, but played so deadpan and serious that it's even funnier. Owen Wilson is priceless and has absolutely no idea that he has the thief skills of a four y...( read more)ear old with a set of crayolas. Luke Wilson also did a great job working as the straight man and playing off his brother quite well.
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