Films you may not of seen but should - Part 2

October 7, 2005

Films you may not of seen but should - Part 2

They’re not really criminals...

...but everybody’s got to have a dream

Wes Anderson’s 1996 directorial debut was picked by Martin Scorsese as one of his top ten films of the 90’s - that sentence alone should convince you to seek it out if you haven’t already had the pleasure of coming across this relatively unseen slice of genius that comes from the writing talents of Owen Wilson and Anderson.

The story follows the laidback, directionless Anthony (Luke Wilson) upon his release from a mental hospital following a breakdown. He joins up with his long time friend Dignan (Owen Wilson) and sad assed loser pal Bob and they embark upon a series of adventures that culminate in a rather unorthodox robbery under the guidance of the supposedly legendary Mr.Heny (an always brilliant James Cann).

Suffice to say nothing goes to plan.

Anthony – on how he ended up in a mental institute:

One morning, over at Elizabeth’s beach house, she asked me if I’d rather go water-skiing or lay out. And I realized that not only did I not want to answer THAT question, but I never wanted to answer another water-sports question, or see any of these people again for the rest of my life.

I first came across this film playing late night on one of the backwater cable stations – channel flicking around, this oddity stood out enough in the seconds I was flying by to keep me from flicking any further.

You get hooked in by the easy going manner of Luke Wilson’s Anthony playing off the charmingly childlike, yet slightly worryingly insane fervour of Owen Wilson’s Dignan – then the laidback narrative flow, speakeasy dialogue, the perfect soundtrack and lackadaisical humour seal the deal – this isn’t your average heist movie – it’s a Wes Anderson heist movie and nowadays - after Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums and Life Aquatic – people are more likely to know what this is – and if you don’t then “innocent friends trying to commit crime” should give you an idea.

Dignan – explaining his planned heist:

Here are just a few of the key ingredients: dynamite, pole vaulting, laughing gas, choppers - can you see how incredible this is going to be? - hang gliding, come on!

It’s the little things that make up life and it’s the little things that make up Bottle Rocket – the cast of supporting characters such like Applejack and Kumar (also Pagoda in Tenenbaums and Mr. Little jeans in Rushmore), the way Anthony helps Inez clean the motel rooms while conducting an attempt at romancing her, the way Bob’s asshole brother is called “Future man” and there is no reason given for this, Mr Henry’s gardening company being called the “Lawn Wranglers”, Dignan on the mini chopper wearing a bright yellow jumpsuit – there are so many touches added to the tale that tell you that this is a story written by good friends working together – every character conjured, every line added, every piece of music played – all mean something to the writers and actors.

Dignan interviewing Bob for a role in the heist:

Bob Mapplethorpe, potential get-away driver: go!
Bob: Well, I think there’s a real air of mystery about me…
Dignan: Don’t complicate it. Your number one strength is you have a car you can provide. Sell yourself! Start over. Ready, go!

Bob: Okay, alright. I’m a risk taker! I’m growin’ an entire crop of marijuana plants in my parents back yard! I think that shows…
Dignan: Wait, you’re growing an entire crop of marijuana in your back yard?
Bob: Dignan, look. I’m just not very good at this selling-yourself stuff, okay? So, I’m just gonna tell you the truth. I really wanna be a part of this team. And I’m the only one with a car.
Dignan: That’s good. That’s good. ‘Cause that hits me right here.

The Wilson’s and Anderson obviously go back a long way – this is the big screen intro for them all before going on to bigger things – it was originally a short film that the Wilson brothers, who had never acted before, ended up starring in due to the low budget. As a result Columbia pictures green lighted the big screen affair which, although it showed on only a few screens, won a lot of praise and made back it’s budget leading to more offers for the Wilson’s and Anderson - all of whom still remain close with collaborations in all of Anderson’s work so far:

Owen Wilson co-wrote/appeared in Rushmore and Tenenbaums and starred in Life Aquatic – a film that seemed much colder without his writing – Luke Wilson appears in Rushmore and stars in Tenenbaums, while his own as yet unreleased directorial/writer debut, The Wendall Baker Story, also stars Owen - furthermore that film is also co-written with Andrew Wilson – another member of the family who plays Future man in Bottle Rocket, Coach Beck in Rushmore and appears in the Tenenbaums and Zoolander (with Owen).

It’s worth noting the lack of writing credit for Owen Wilson on the Life Aquatic as this is the least enjoyable of Anderson’s films so far – his surf dude demeanour and willingness to get involved with A-list ass-trash like the Haunting & Anaconda, leads some to say there isn’t much going on up inside his head – however, with the writing/acting collaborations on Anderson’s films, his quiet considered performance in the Minus Man and the endlessly quotable comedic turns in Zoolander, Starsky and Hutch and The Wedding Crashers, he should not be dismissed so easily.

But yes the Big Bounce was a indeed a big bag of wank.

Andersons next is an animated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” – his character driven films so far do indeed have a unique charm, understated direction and quality soundtrack - but without the Wilson’s comedic influence it remains to be seen if future projects will live up to the quality of Rushmore, Tenenbaums and this little seen comfy comic gem of genius.

Dignan: Who tripped the alarm, man?

Anthony: It’s the fire alarm!
Dignan: Who tripped the fire alarm?
Anthony: IT’S BECAUSE OF ALL THIS FUCKING SMOKE!