Bottle Rocket

Bottle Rocket is a 1996 film and director Wes Anderson's first feature film. The film was co-written by Anderson and actor Owen Wilson. Wilson and his younger brother, actor Luke Wilson, starred in the film, along with James Caan and Robert Musgrave. The film was the debut feature for all three Wilson brothers, including eldest brother Andrew, who appeared as Future Man.

The movie was a commercial failure but launched Anderson's career by drawing attention from critics. Director Martin Scorcese later named Bottle Rocket one of his top-ten favorite movies of the 1990s.

Bottle Rocket (short) is also the name of a short film directed by Anderson, released in 1994, on which the feature-length film was based.

Plot Summary

As the movie opens, Dignan, played by Owen Wilson, rescues Anthony, played by Andrew Wilson from a voluntary mental hospital. Dignan has an elaborate escape planned and has developed a 25 year plan which he shows to Dignan on the escape bus. The plan is to pull off several heists and then meet up with a Mr. Henry.

The two friends waste no time in breaking into and robbing a house. Very little is stolen and Anthony rearranges a toy soldier. They head to a cafe where they discuss the heist and Dignan remarks how pleased he is with the high intensity. He plays a game of pinball and remarks that the heist was a success due to stealing the coin collection and the diamond earrings. Anthony becomes angered that Dignan stole the earrings which he gave to his mother as a gift. When Anthony tells Dignan maybe they should have robbed his house instead Dignan replies "You know there's nothing to steal from my mom and Craig."

In order to return the earrings, Anthony visits his little sister at her school and tells her to return them to their mother's jewelry box. His sister asks what's going to happen to him and does not seem pleased he is spending time with Dignan. Anthony becomes frustrated and once reunited with Dignan, vents his frustration that his sister Grace has become so cynical and thinks Anthony is a failure. Dignan seems confused and asked "What's she ever done with her life that's so great?"

Dignan has been interviewing Bob Mapelthorpe, a potential getaway driver who is wearing a black suit and tie. He tells Bob that the best thing he has going for him is that he has a car. Bob is hired and the three make a road trip to buy a gun out of a guy's trunk. Back at Bob's house, they plan their next heist.

The three rob a bookstore that is apparently very near Bob's house, as flashing police lights can be seen through the trees at Bob's house later when they are celebrating their grand success. They hit the streets and "go on the lam," stopping at a hotel on the side of the highway.

At the hotel, Anthony meets Inez and, though she speaks no English, a romance is kindled as he follows her around during her housekeeping duties. Dignan and Bob leave to get their hair cut in order to change their identities, but Anthony refuses. He is making pina coladas with Inez and the other staff members when Dignan and Bob return. Bob has found out that his marijuana crop has been found and consequently, his older brother, Future Man has been arrested.

He wants to leave but the other two accomplices convince him to stay the night and talk it over in the morning. When Dignan awakens he sees that Bob is gone and yells "Bob stole his car! He flew the coop while we were sleeping." Dignan steals an abandoned car and after leaving an envelope Anthony wanted him to give Inez, the two leave. The car breaks down and Dignan discovers the envelope he gave to Inez contained the rest of their cash. Angry, he punches Anthony in the face while holding a screwdriver, and then walks away.

Anthony writes a letter to his sister Grace telling her how well he is doing. He is living with Bob and they are involved in several activities including coaching a soccer team and delivering newspapers. One day, Dignan shows up on a mini scooter wearing a yellow jumpsuit. Dignan tells Anthony that he met up with Mr. Henry and they are planning a job that he wants Anthony involved in. Future Man and a friend drive by and mock Dignan, and Anthony feels sorry for his friend and agrees to be on the team.

The two go to Mr. Henry's building where Mr. Henry, played by James Caan, pours water on Dignan's head. They enter and play ping pong. Anthony is commited to be on the team and the two start doing the legwork which includes observing a factory. While on the stake out, Dignan reveals the misunderstanding that makes Anthony realize Inez is in love with him.

Mr. Henry throws a party where Dignan asks to be allowed to do the job without Mr. Henry's help. Anthony calls the hotel and talks to Inez where he tells you "The word around town is... well, I hear you love me."

At the factory, Dignan, Anthony and Bob as well as Kumar and Applejack who are friends of Mr. Henry, are all wearing yellow jumpsuits and holding walkie talkies. Kumar is put in charge of cracking the safe because he has 'the touch'. The factory workers show up and Dignan tells them "You're supposed to be at lunch right now!" In the confusion, Dignan fires his gun and Apple Jack falls as if shot. Dignan blames it on Bob and sets off a smoke bomb. The fire alarm sounds and chaos breaks out. They all make it out to the van but realize they've left Apple Jack. Dignan goes back in to get him and the rest of the team run away. When he gets back to the van, he puts Apple Jack inside, and Apple Jack promptly locks the door and appears to pass out. The police arrive and Dignan is forced to run back inside the building. The chase ends inside a cold storage room where the police beat him and give him CRS disease. Back at Bob's house, Mr. Henry is loading a van with everything in Bob's house.

Anthony and Bob visit Dignan and inform him that Mr. Henry robbed Bob's house. Dignan presents them with buckles he has made for them all as well as the men who robbed Bob's house. As they leave, Dignan unfolds a scheme to escape and asks if they brought a grappling hook. The movie ends as Dignan says "Isn't it funny that I used to be in the nuthouse and now I'm in jail?" as he walks back into the prison.

As in all Wes Anderson movies, the ending is in slow motion. A few of us are laughing while most of you don't know what to think.

External link

• Bottle Rocket at IMDb - 1996 Film
• Bottle Rocket at IMDb - 1994 Film
• Roger Ebert & Martin Scorcese's Top Ten Picks of the 1990s, via the Chicago Sun-Times.