Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this indie dramedy follows three best friends who become bumbling small-time crooks in hopes of getting in on a real heist. There is a lot of R-rated language plus one love scene (no nudity is visible, however). The overall theme of seeking excitement from planning and executing a robbery may not be suitable for younger children, but there's a great deal of humor to offset the "life of crime" elements.
Families can talk about risk-taking and peer pressure. Did Anthony seem like he really wanted to go along with Dignan, or was he just humoring him? Kids: Was Dignan using Bob for his money? What would you do if friends asked you to do something illegal?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Sandie Angulo Chen
The first feature film writer-director Wes Anderson and writer-star Owen Wilson collaborated on sets the tone for their many quirky independent ensembles to come.
Wilson is joined by his brother Luke Wilson and character actor Robert Musgrave (Idiocracy) in this tale of three best friends who think committing petty heists -- like gently robbing the local book superstore -- will lead to a more exciting and fulfilling life. Heading the trio is Owen as Dignan, the kind of loony, fast-talking friend who can convince a pal to do just about anything.
Dignan wants to prove the threesome (Luke is Anthony, who recently left a volunteer psychiatric facility and Musgrave is Bob, who's blessed with family money and a car) can successfully become crooks, so his former landscaping employer and small-time crime boss Mr. Henry (James Caan) will hire them for a big score. Of course they're completely inept, and the bookstore aside, are incapable of executing a real heist.
Those familiar with Anderson's films will recognize some of the supporting players, like the Wilsons' older sibling Andrew as Bob's annoying bully of a brother and the always entertaining Kumar Pallana as a bumbling safe specialist. The overly stylized dialogue and slightly unstable relationships will also make sense, although it has become even wittier (some would say self-indulgent) over the years.
BOTTLE ROCKET was a critical success when it was released in 1996 and launched the careers of a creative team that know comedy can be talky, subtle, character driven, and even heartbreaking at times. It's not the best Anderson-Wilson endeavor, but as the first it establishes central elements visible in all their films.
Families who like Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson's witty indies will enjoy their later work, including Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentAnthony and Inez kiss on a few occasions and make love once (no nudity). A woman flirts with Anthony. |
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ViolenceThe cops beat up a suspect; Dignan gets into a brawl at a bar and ends up with a bloody gash on his face; Dignan gives Anthony a bloody nose; Bob's brother beats him off camera, and he subsequently wears a bandage around his ear. |
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LanguageR-rated language: "f--k," "s--t," "asshole," "c---sucker," etc. |
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Social BehaviorThree friends seek out the excitement of a life of petty heists. |
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Commercialism |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoThe guys drink at a bar; partygoers drink cocktails and smoke cigars/cigarettes. |
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