Bottle Rocket

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2:43

Bottle Rocket

R,

1996,

1h 31m,

Comedy

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Watchlist

86%

70 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

70 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In Wes Anderson's first feature film, Anthony has just been released from a mental hospital, only to find his wacky friend Dignan determined to begin an outrageous crime spree. After recruiting their neighbor, Bob, the team embarks on a road trip in search of Dignan's previous boss, Mr. Henry. But the more they learn, the more they realize that they do not know the first thing about crime.

Critics Consensus

Bottle Rocket is Reservoir Dogs meets Breathless with a West Texas sensibility.

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David Hunter

The Hollywood Reporter

Feb 21, 2018

The performers look like they're having a lot of fun, but there is a great deal of skill on display.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Mar 4, 2014

A confident, eccentric debut about a trio of shambling and guileless friends who become the Candides of crime, Rocket feels particularly refreshing because it never compromises on its delicate deadpan sensibility.

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Bruce Diones

The New Yorker

Mar 4, 2014

[Bottle Rocket] meanders pleasantly, like a road movie, with a seventies-style, anything-goes offhandedness that whisks the audience through the rough spots.

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Sarah Ward

Concrete Playground

Oct 16, 2025

Establishes many of the filmmaker's trademarks from the outset — including his penchant for witty interactions, as well as his love of dressing his characters in coordinated outfits.

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Joe Leydon

The Moving Picture Show

Nov 9, 2023

In tone, style and content, this quirky little movie recalls the low-key comedies of Bill Forsythe ("Local Hero," "Housekeeping"), the poet laureate of melancholy whimsy.

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Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

Sep 29, 2023

Wes Anderson’s debut might lack the meticulous visual style he's synonymous with, but it's full of the charm and understated emotion we love him for.

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Ron P

Nov 10, 2018

A small budget corky comedy of wannabe criminals who are just tremendously bad at it. The birth of Wes Anderson's creative story telling.

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Anakin P

Nov 3, 2018

Primo lavoro da regista su un lungometraggio per il regista che più amo, il mio preferito, Wes Anderson! Il film è anche l'esordio sul grande schermo dei fratelli Wilson, grandi amici del regista, che qui interpretano i protagonisti. La trama è un susseguirsi di vicende bizzarre e movimentate che coinvolgono Dignan (Owen) e Anthony (Luke) e il tutto culmina in una rapina finita male e Dignan in prigione. Lo stile e il tocco di Anderson si vedono ma tutto è ancora molto acerbo. La pellicola è realizzata bene ed è solo l'inizio per ciò che il regista farà negli anni successivi.

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Harry R

Sep 11, 2018

Despite losing focus after a while and overstaying its welcome, Wes Anderson's feature debut was already an early showcase of his impressive talent and great eye for compositions, offering us enough unpretentious amusement for as long as it lasts and reaching a hilarious climax.

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Theodore R

Jun 4, 2018

Wes Anderson was already on the right track!

Rey W

Mar 29, 2018

Best Wes Anderson Film easily. Wes and Owen together means outstanding conversations. Go back and watch this a second, 3rd, 4th time to notice all the little conversations going on. Example, "How did an ***hole like Bob get such a nice kitchen?" This has to be the best low budget film ever made.

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Kylo S

Mar 7, 2018

Puntaje Original: 6.5 Unos memorables personajes envueltos en una irreverente historia, manejados por una gran mente como la de Wes Anderson.

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Wes Anderson

Director

Owen Wilson

Dignan

Luke Wilson

Anthony Adams

Robert Musgrave

Bob Mapplethorpe

Andrew Wilson

John Mapplethorpe (Future Man)

Lumi Cavazos

Inez

Bottle Rocket: Official Clip - The Job Falls Apart

2:06

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2:04

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Bottle Rocket: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In Wes Anderson's first feature film, Anthony has just been released from a mental hospital, only to find his wacky friend Dignan determined to begin an outrageous crime spree. After recruiting their neighbor, Bob, the team embarks on a road trip in search of Dignan's previous boss, Mr. Henry. But the more they learn, the more they realize that they do not know the first thing about crime.

Director: Wes Anderson
Producer: Cynthia Hargrave, Polly Platt
Screenwriter: Owen Wilson, Wes Anderson
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Gracie Films, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 21, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 18, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $488.6K
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR

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