Bottle Rocket
(1995)
|
The debut feature film for director Wes Anderson and actors Luke and Owen Wilson, BOTTLE ROCKET is a kind-hearted yet quirky tale about three friends who fashion themselves into modern-day robbers. After leaving his voluntary confinement in a mental home, Anthony (Luke Wilson) joins his friends Dignan (the film's co-writer, Owen Wilson) and Bob (Robert Musgrave) in a bookstore heist. In need of direction, more so than money, the three guys prove to be polite, but rather inept criminals. Nevertheless the job is a success, and the trio head out to a remote hotel, planning to lay low until they can return to join a gang of supposed professional criminals lead by the infamous Mr. Henry (James Caan). |
This agreeably eccentric comedy crime drama marked the debut feature of Wes Anderson. It tells the story of a dopey trio (Luke and Owen Wilson, Robert Musgrave) who bewilderingly think they are cut out for a life in crime. Anderson observes their bungling antics and personality disorders with obvious affection, while continually taking the episodic tale in unexpected directions. The then largely unknown leads deliver expertly judged performances and there's a nice cameo from James Caan. Anderson made even more of an impression with his quirky and sophisticated comedy follow-up Rushmore.
Halliwell's Film Guide
Enjoyable and witty small-scale independent film that manages some original variations on a familiar theme.