Paul_D
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2001
- Messages
- 2,048
I didn't think anything would top Rushmore. But now having seen The Royal Tenenbaums and Bottle Rocket, I think that both surpass it. The latter has some of the most unique, memorable characters I've seen on screen for a good long while. Since I first saw it a few months ago, I must have watched it at least 20 times. As good as the entire cast are, Owen Wilson stands out as the Dignan, the centre of the film, althought arguably, Luke Wilson's Athony is the main character. You genuinely hope Dignan's criminals dreams come to fruition. It's an amazing performance, and showcases Wilson's zany wit and charming child-like innocence amazingly well. His character is such a unlikely criminal, and yet he feels real, and fits the tone and themes of the film like a glove. It's no surprise, given the uniqueness of Dignan's character, that Wilson went on to play the cinema's only nice serial killer in The Minus Man.
It's filled with memorable, quotable dialogue:
"Who'd you get to do that. Did you bribe the janitor? Smart. Smart."
"He's out. You're out too. And I don't think I'm in either."
"I blew it man. I lost my touch man." "Did you ever have a touch to lose man?"
"You don't give a $500 tip to the housekeeper. That's inappropriate. That's inexcusable."
"She is a housekeeper. People are housekeepers."
"Bob's gone. He stole his car."
The score is amazing. It's so upbeat and bright. I can't remember hearing such a distinctive and appropriate score outside of an Anderson film. Anderson's now trademark collection of ofbeat tracks also complements the on-screen action perfectly.
There are a few things that don't feel quite right. Bob Maplethorp's relationship with his bullying brother seems forced and doesn't make much sense. Anthony's romance with Innes basically amounts to little, and theres a notable drop in energy whenever Dignan isn't on screen. But the final heist is so hilariously put together, and the final tender scene with Dignan, Bob and Anthony finshes of the film on such an unlikely high note. This is one hell of a film. Check it out NOW if you haven't yet. It's truly unmissable.
I hope the upcoming Criterion edition isn't just a rumor.
It's filled with memorable, quotable dialogue:
"Who'd you get to do that. Did you bribe the janitor? Smart. Smart."
"He's out. You're out too. And I don't think I'm in either."
"I blew it man. I lost my touch man." "Did you ever have a touch to lose man?"
"You don't give a $500 tip to the housekeeper. That's inappropriate. That's inexcusable."
"She is a housekeeper. People are housekeepers."
"Bob's gone. He stole his car."
The score is amazing. It's so upbeat and bright. I can't remember hearing such a distinctive and appropriate score outside of an Anderson film. Anderson's now trademark collection of ofbeat tracks also complements the on-screen action perfectly.
There are a few things that don't feel quite right. Bob Maplethorp's relationship with his bullying brother seems forced and doesn't make much sense. Anthony's romance with Innes basically amounts to little, and theres a notable drop in energy whenever Dignan isn't on screen. But the final heist is so hilariously put together, and the final tender scene with Dignan, Bob and Anthony finshes of the film on such an unlikely high note. This is one hell of a film. Check it out NOW if you haven't yet. It's truly unmissable.
I hope the upcoming Criterion edition isn't just a rumor.