Review of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) by Manny C — 24 Mar 2011
It's always fun to see director Wes Anderson (Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums) look at life go by through his own unique lens. The Life Aquatic is his first film Anderson co-wrote with writer-director Noah Baumbach, rather than Owen Wilson, and they touch on some heavy themes, filtering death, betrayal and forgiveness through Anderson's signature delicate humor and comedy.
The great Bill Murray plays Steve Zissou, a famed Jacques Cousteau-like oceanographer in a career slump. Steve embarks on a sea adventure to exact his revenge on the jaguar shark that killed his best friend (Seymour Cassel).
Along the way he has run-ins with his ex-wife (Anjelica Huston), a rival (Jeff Goldblum), a journalist (Cate Blanchett) and a pilot who claims to be his son (Owen Wilson, in a sincerely moving performance).
Owen's scenes with Murray fills the script with the emotional heft it forsakes in favor of ridiculous pirate attacks and animated sea creatures. But it's Murray and Wilson who keep things grounded in deeply felt reality.
This review of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) was written by Manny C on 24 Mar 2011.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou has generally received positive reviews.
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