FILM CHALLENGE: 103) Bottle Rocket

103) Bottle Rocket

Director: Wes Anderson

Year: 1996

Plot Summary: Upon his release from a mental hospital following a nervous breakdown, the directionless Anthony joins his friend Dignan who has hatched a hare-brained scheme for an as-yet-unspecified crime spree that somehow involves his former boss, the supposedly legendary Mr. Henry.

Wes Anderson's feature length debut doesn't have the off-beat charm of his following releases, but is, nevertheless, an unconventional and entertaining hybrid of crime and comedy.

The story focusses on a trio of friends who attempt to escape from their suburban boredom through a life of crime. However, to use the word 'story' is maybe a little misleading as Bottle Rocket has a very loose narrative style reminiscent of Mean Streets or Easy Rider. Instead of the crime, what really captures your interest are the aforementioned characters. Despite their motives, the characters are loveable and innocent, but because of these qualities you also watch Bottle Rocket with a cringed expression, knowing that they won't be able to pull of the big heist they're building towards.

And what is this big heist? Well, that's a good question. The prospect is mentioned within the first five minutes but it's not actually elaborated on until the film's last ten. This, to me, enforces the idea that what they actually steal is of no importance to these man at all. What is important is to them is that they have some excitement in their lives.

Anderson's direction isn't quite as developed as it is in Rushmore or The Royal Tenenbaums and none of the performances are particularly note-worthy, but for a 90 minute film, the subtle humour of the screenplay, which Anderson co-wrote with Owen Wilson, will have you smiling the entire time.

An enjoyable but fairly forgettable watch.

3/5

By Daniel Sarath with 1 comment