Bottle Rocket

release year: 1996
genre: comedy
viewing setting: home DVD, 12/19/02

synopsis: Three confused Gen-Xers think they're thieves, and go about all sorts of bungling adventures.

impressions: I'm not sure what the point of this movie was. It's not to be taken seriously - the Owen Wilson character's behavior assured me of that - and it's not quite funny enough to be effective as a comedy. I guess the word for it is "quirky." If you're a fan of the Wilson brothers, you'll probably like it. As far as I could tell, this movie was about slackers who didn't have what it took to be successful in any conventional way, so they just decided one day that they'd be professional thieves.

things to watch for: The whole Inez subplot kept my attention.

acting: Owen Wilson, in an early role, played the would-be leader of the "team." Luke Wilson played the most likeable of the protagonists. James Caan had a minor role as a supposed professional criminal.

final word: If you're into slacker movies, you'll like this. Also, I have it on good faith that fans of the Wilson brothers consider this movie to be essential viewing.

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