Review of Bottle Rocket (1996) by Stuart K — 30 Jul 2009

This is where it all began for director Wes Anderson. In 1994, he'd done a 14 minute black and white short called Bottle Rocket, the short caught the attention of noted producer James L. Brooks. He wanted Anderson and all involved with the original short to remake it for the big screen.

So they did, and it's a charming little film, and gives a clear indication of what was to come from it's director. It focuses on 3 friends, Anthony (Luke Wilson), who has just been released from a mental hospital following a nervous breakdown, teaming up with his friend Dignan (Owen Wilson), who has a plan to commit the perfect crime, which involves robbing his former boss, Mr.

Henry (James Caan). Anthony and Dignan team up with their weedy pal Bob Mapplethorpe (Robert Musgrave), they do commit one robbery at a book store, but they spend most of their time holed up in a motel, where Anthony begins a relationship with maid Inez (Lumi Cavazos).

It's a small scale little film, with enough quirky humour to keep it's viewer hooked for it's running time. It's a gentle sort of humour, but it has real heart. It marked the debuts of the Wilson brothers, (Owen co-wrote it with Anderson), and Anderson went on to greater things indeed!!