Bottle Rocket (1996)

directed by Wes Anderson

with: Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Robert Musgrave

This movie is about three alienated characters who decide to become criminals for a living, just for (infantile) excitement. 

This movie is great because it defines the rest of Anderson's career. It has great ideas, not always very well executed, but very Andersonian in principle. Although many say that this is not really an Anderson-style piece, I believe it is, and strongly. It works as a foundation for his future films. The slow motion scene near the end of the movie is used in all of his other movies. The great, innocent and playful music that accompanies the character's naiveness and alienation too. The sense of belonging to a group and dressing up in almost ridiculous matching uniforms (yellow jumpsuit) is also appreciated in The Life Aquatic of Steve Zissou. The kiddish plans and sketches are seen in Rushmore. POV shots are used in all of his films. A strange foreign and usually quiet character is also present in all of his films. Failed characters who build a personal world where they fit in to be protected from the rest is a very Andersonian theme, and so is the man to man interactions as also seen in The Darjeeling Limited. A nearly impossible love is also part of all Anderson films, especially in Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums. 

Bottle Rocket is quirky and witty, and the Wilson duo do a great job. The movie starts out great and ends up perfect, there are a few things in the middle that do not work correctly, but in general terms, it is a good movie, interesting especially for Anderson fans. 

Worth a look. 

Rating: 7.5/10