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Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Robert Musgrave, Lumi Cavazos, James Caan ... see more see more... , Ned Dowd , Andrew Wilson , Jim Ponds , Kumar Pallana , Bob Musgrave , Brian Tenenbaum , Darryl Cox , Dipak Pallana , Haley Miller , Hector Garcia , Jenni Tooley , Shea Fowler , Stephen Dignan , Temple Nash

A bright, optimistic caper comedy from first-time director Wes Anderson, Bottle Rocket focuses on a group of young Texans aspiring to become master thieves. Their leader is Dignan (Owen C. Wilson, who... read more read more... also co-wrote the screenplay), an upbeat if naive charmer who convinces his friends Anthony (Wilson's brother Luke Wilson) and Bob Mapplethorpe (Robert Musgrave) to enter the crime business. After their first heist, a bizarrely-executed robbery of a local bookstore, the trio goes on the lam, taking up residence in a border hotel where Anthony falls in love with a maid played by Lumi Cavazos. When the three buddies decide that they need to return to the real world, they hook up with a master con-man (James Caan) who sends them on a daring -- if ill-concieved -- mission. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

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79% liked it

56,796 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

44 critics

R, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Wes Anderson

Release Date: February 23, 1996

Keywords: crime, funny, funniest, heist

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DVD Release Date: December 22, 1998

Stats: 3,618 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,618)

  • sanjurosamurai
    May 17, 2012
    sanjurosamurai
    absolutely one of the most fun, quirky, unrealistic, hilarious films out there. wes andersons composition style, dialogue, shot selection, and attention to detail make him one of the best directors out there, and this chaotic film is an example of how bizarre something can be wh... read moreile being so intentional at the same time. i love this movie.
  • fb100001048934982
    March 13, 2012
    fb100001048934982
    Wes Anderson's 'Bottle Rocket' is a comedic caper with a unique style that Anderson will make his own as he continues to make more films. It's a great sign of what's to come, because the script is very well done and the Wilson brothers both turn in very good yet very different pe... read morerformances. Owen Wilson is a shock of a disheveled man and Luke is more collected and modest in his performance. The cinematography is also as good as ever, guided by Anderson's stylish and creative hand. The film may have pockets of mishaps where it may lose its audience, but the end result is satisfying. It's not laugh-out-loud funny, but its quirks and charm should impress and delight quite a few.
  • FilmFanatik
    February 25, 2012
    FilmFanatik
    As I've stated many times on Flixster, I'm a self-confessed Wes Anderson addict. He's the feel-good Stanley Kubrick for a new generation of filmmakers and holds his own despite the comparison. His movies are usually almost strictly about characters, and not necessarily story reso... read morelution, which is his style. While Bottle Rocket is technically his first film, it's not necessarily my favorite. I think part of the reason I didn't respond to it as positively as I should is because of its lack of narrative. Actually, the narrative is a mess. There are so many moments in the movie that are usually the final moment of other movies, but it just keeps going. Now if the characters are interesting enough then that might not matter a whole lot, but in this case, they aren't very strong. They're probably the weakest characters in all of Wes Anderson's work. So while the story is going off in different directions, being chaotic and not quite sure which way to go we're supposed to be following these two brothers and the people they meet along their way... except none of them are all that interesting. Perhaps it's me, and perhaps I'm just asking too much. Either way, it's still a worthy film, but it just doesn't hold up to the quality, precision and perfection of Wes Anderson's later work.
  • paulkoh110
    January 2, 2012
    paulkoh110
    Its fun, charming, and original! A great debut by director Wes Anderson and introducing the Wilson triplets. For any fan of indie hipster cinema, this is a treat!
  • fb1664868775
    October 27, 2011
    fb1664868775
    The debut from Wes Anderson is perhaps his most conventional comedy, though the more you watch it you realize how unconventional it is. Filled with hilarious qoutable dialogue and breakthrough performances by Owen and Luke Wilson. We get the first glimpse of a unique director's s... read moretyle and his ear for picking great music.
  • fb733768972
    October 2, 2011
    fb733768972
    This little independent thriller/comedy, knows it's value and what it is trying to accomplish, and it does it with great style. As two brothers (one out of an insane asylum) round up a team to make robberies on the down low (in convenience stores and factories), one of them (Luke... read more Wilson) let's his emotions take over one night as they stay in a motel and he falls for the housemaid. This film is comical, dramatic, it has a good witty story, the acting is very fun to watch, and the dialogue may be lazy, but it just makes the film that much more funny. Bottle Rocket is one of those films that you may love the first time around, but you know it's not amazing and you will never take a second look. I had a lot of fun watching it for what it was! Very, very good!
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    January 30, 2011
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "On the run from Johnny Law... ain't no trip to Cleveland."

    Focusing on a trio of friends and their elaborate plan to pull off a simple robbery and go on the run.

    REVIEW

    1996's Bottle Rocket st... read moreands out as the arresting debut of director Wes Anderson, along with ongoing writing partner Owen Wilson. It immediately engages its audience in the ridiculous story of Dignan (Owen Wilson) and Anthony (Luke Wilson), two friends that aren't any good at being criminals - although they aspire to be. They work alongside their friend Bob Mapplethorpe (Robert Musgrave) or rather trick him into helping them due to the fact that he can finance their operations.

    What's so interesting about this film is the true heart that started in the script and then continued to shine through with the actors' performances. The characters were developed deeply enough for the audience to truly get a sense of who they were, what they wanted, and where they were going. Although the film tells the story of a group of wannabe thieves, it becomes clear that the reason why they are no good at pulling off these crimes is simply because of the fact that they are actually really nice guys, incapable of actually hurting anyone.

    The most remarkable aspect of the film would have to be in the brilliant performances featured throughout. Owen Wilson truly shines as Dignan, the group's leader - desperate to pull off at least one fantastic heist. He is hot-tempered, controlling, and he often lets his emotions get the best of him. Although he may screw up a lot, he is always quick to apologize. At the end of the film when he is sentenced to serve time, he claims to have no hard feelings showing a real growth in his character. Another standout performance came from Luke Wilson as Dignan's best friend Anthony. It's obvious that Anthony doesn't want to be a criminal, and that he simply participates because he doesn't want to make Dignan unhappy. After he falls in love with one of the maids at a motel they stay at, he realizes he can't work with Dignan anymore. Wilson's performance was outstanding - he was really able to convey both his character's indifferent side, and also being torn between love and friendship.

    Bottle Rocket was an outstanding debut achievement for director Wes Anderson, marking the beginning of a series of stunning films full of character driven scripts, great music, and aesthetically pleasing visuals.
  • cosmo313
    May 19, 2010
    cosmo313
    This movie, like its main characters, is aimless and meandering, but still very much fun, funny, and entertaining. I mean, any movie that put the Wilson brothers and Wes Anderson has to be at least half way decent, right? The story is simple enough, but the dead pan humor, score,... read more location shooting, and general quirkiness make it recommendable. There's something about the charm coming off this movie that makes it irresistable.
  • Godless
    March 28, 2010
    Godless
    Had I watched this before Anderson's other films I may have liked it more. While I still enjoyed it it was a lesser version of his better movies.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    March 14, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    Wow. All THREE Wilson brothers were in this movie. Even Andrew Wilson, who looks and sounds like Owen. I loved this quirky comedy AND actually REALLY enjoyed Owen Wilson, not just Luke. Now that is truly a first, people. A great little independent film that was so geeky and funny... read more that it was adorably realistic. Love it. Wes Anderson, you are growing on me, sir.

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Critic Reviews

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Works on its own modest, limited terms and, despite the obvious fun involved, never feels self-indulgent. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

I can't recommend the film -- it's too unwound and indulgent -- but I have a certain affection for it, and I'm looking forward to whatever Anderson and the Wilsons do next. Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

A mildly facetious tone limits Anderson's film to the lightweight, but the collective enthusiasm behind this debut effort still comes through. Full Review

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

A little deal, this movie is like a bottle rocket itself: a big bang for the money.

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Gets by on quirky charm and slacker chic -- but just barely. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Starts and finishes strong, but, somewhere in the middle, it loses its focus and its way. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

A hilarious, inventive and goofy breath of fresh air. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

A grueling, numbing black hole. Full Review

Sandie Angulo Chen
December 31, 2010
Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media

The first Anderson/Wilson offbeat, talky comedy. Full Review

Matt Noller
December 16, 2008
Matt Noller, Slant Magazine

If Bottle Rocket is to be remembered for anything in Anderson's body of work, it should be as the film that gave the director the power and name recognition to continue making the films he wanted to m... Full Review

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    • Bob Mapplethorpe: I really want to be a part of this team.. and I'm the only one with a car.
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Bottle Rocket Trivia

  • Owen Wilson and Luke Wilson both made their acting debut in the same movie. Which movie was it?  Answer »
  • Name the director of Luke and Owen Wilsons breakthrough movie 'Bottle Rocket'?  Answer »
  • Which little known movie was partially written and starred Owen Wilson along with his brothers Luke and Andrew, Starting their careers?  Answer »
  • True or False: Wes Anderson wrote Bottle Rocket, Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums with good friend and fello Texas Alum, Owen Wilson  Answer »
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