Post by Natalie on Feb 18, 2005 23:01:08 GMT -5
Blogs at Cincinnati.com
frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/popculture/2005/02/fridays-forgotten-flicks-no-3-bottle.asp
frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/popculture/2005/02/fridays-forgotten-flicks-no-3-bottle.asp
Quirky films like "Rushmore" and "The Royal Tenenbaums" have won director Wes Anderson critical acclaim and a cult following. Unfortunately, most people have never heard of his first film, "Bottle Rocket." And that's a shame because as great as his work is (particularly "Rushmore"), "Bottle Rocket" is still my favorite.
Brothers Luke and Owen Wilson, both starring in their first film, play Anthony and Dignan. Dignan's decided to pursue an exciting career in petty theft, and so he and Anthony embark on a series of practice jobs with the hope of impressing a master thief (played by James Caan). Along the way they screw up, fight, make up, and fire off a lot of bottle rockets.
Luke Wilson is great as the easy going Anthony, and James Caan has a lot of fun as Mr. Henry, but this movie belongs to Owen Wilson. Wilson turns his usual act up a few notches and plays Dignan as a hyperactive, insecure, wannabe criminal in one of my favorite comedic performances of all time. With his over-excitement and unrealistic robbery plans (one includes everything from pole vaulting to helicopters), Owen Wilson provides a great firecracker loose cannon to Luke Wilson's calm and collected Anthony. The relationship between the two could be compared to the chemistry between Vince Vaughn and John Favreau in "Swingers."
So, if you're looking at the movie theater marquee and you can't decide between "Meet the Fockers," "Son of the Mask," or just beating yourself repeatedly about the head with a shovel, here's a forgotten flick that might bring you some enjoyment this weekend. Here's a link to the trailer (click the "Preview" button below the poster but be warned it gives away an awful lot).
Memorable Moment: Anthony follows Dignan's plan and "escapes" from a mental hospital he'd checked himself into by tying sheets together and climbing down the two stories, as Dignan couldn't really grasp the concept that his stay was voluntary.
Memorable Quote: "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!"
Brothers Luke and Owen Wilson, both starring in their first film, play Anthony and Dignan. Dignan's decided to pursue an exciting career in petty theft, and so he and Anthony embark on a series of practice jobs with the hope of impressing a master thief (played by James Caan). Along the way they screw up, fight, make up, and fire off a lot of bottle rockets.
Luke Wilson is great as the easy going Anthony, and James Caan has a lot of fun as Mr. Henry, but this movie belongs to Owen Wilson. Wilson turns his usual act up a few notches and plays Dignan as a hyperactive, insecure, wannabe criminal in one of my favorite comedic performances of all time. With his over-excitement and unrealistic robbery plans (one includes everything from pole vaulting to helicopters), Owen Wilson provides a great firecracker loose cannon to Luke Wilson's calm and collected Anthony. The relationship between the two could be compared to the chemistry between Vince Vaughn and John Favreau in "Swingers."
So, if you're looking at the movie theater marquee and you can't decide between "Meet the Fockers," "Son of the Mask," or just beating yourself repeatedly about the head with a shovel, here's a forgotten flick that might bring you some enjoyment this weekend. Here's a link to the trailer (click the "Preview" button below the poster but be warned it gives away an awful lot).
Memorable Moment: Anthony follows Dignan's plan and "escapes" from a mental hospital he'd checked himself into by tying sheets together and climbing down the two stories, as Dignan couldn't really grasp the concept that his stay was voluntary.
Memorable Quote: "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!"