Bottle Rocket

Bottle Rocket (1996)

  • 80% of critics liked it
    (44 reviews)

  • 79% of users liked it
    (56,102 ratings)

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 also co-wrote the screenplay), an upbeat if naive charmer who convinces his friends Anthony… More

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R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By
Wes Anderson
Written By
Wes Anderson, Owen Wilson
Genres
Drama, Comedy
In Theaters
Feb 23, 1996 Wide
On DVD
Dec 22, 1998
Columbia Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

    Works on its own modest, limited terms and, despite the obvious fun involved, never feels self-indulgent.

  • 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.

  • Janet Maslin, New York Times

    A mildly facetious tone limits Anderson's film to the lightweight, but the collective enthusiasm behind this debut effort still comes through.

  • Mike Clark, USA Today

    A little deal, this movie is like a bottle rocket itself: a big bang for the money.

  • Rita Kempley, Washington Post

    Gets by on quirky charm and slacker chic -- but just barely.

Read all 17 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • paul o


    Its fun, charming, and original! A great debut by director Wes Anderson and introducing the Wilson triplets. For any fan of indie hipster cinema, this is a treat!

  • Graham J


    The debut from Wes Anderson is perhaps his most conventional comedy, though the more you watch it you realize how unconventional it is. Filled with hilarious qoutable dialogue and breakthrough performances by Owen and Luke Wilson. We get the first glimpse of a unique director's… More

  • KJ P


    This little independent thriller/comedy, knows it's value and what it is trying to accomplish, and it does it with great style. As two brothers (one out of an insane asylum) round up a team to make robberies on the down low (in convenience stores and factories), one of them (Luke… More

  • Lorenzo v


    <i>"On the run from Johnny Law... ain't no trip to Cleveland."</i> Focusing on a trio of friends and their elaborate plan to pull off a simple robbery and go on the run. <center><font size=+2 face="Century… More

  • Chris W


    This movie, like its main characters, is aimless and meandering, but still very much fun, funny, and entertaining. I mean, any movie that put the Wilson brothers and Wes Anderson has to be at least half way decent, right? The story is simple enough, but the dead pan humor, score,… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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