Review of Bottle Rocket (1996) by Aaron N — 07 Dec 2008

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 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!