Overview
A quirky crime spree unfolds as two friends embark on a misadventure filled with unexpected twists and romance.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- deadpan
- whimsical
- lazy sunday
- indie film night
What critics said
Critics generally value the film's understated humor, humanistic character interactions, and early Wes Anderson sensibility, while finding its modest crime story uneven in places.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Anthony, Dignan, and Bob approach robbery with improvised plans, misplaced confidence, and limited practical ability.
The road journey, motels, small-town spaces, and dry southwestern surroundings give the heist narrative a distinctly West Texas character.
Anthony remains entangled with Dignan's implausible plans even after recognizing Dignan's erratic behavior and poor judgment.
The robbery and subsequent dealings with Mr. Henry repeatedly undercut the gang's fantasies of criminal grandeur.
Films like Bottle Rocket, and why
Raising Arizona
shares an offbeat heist premise, deadpan humor, eccentric friendships, and a distinctive regional sensibility
The Royal Tenenbaums
shares a quirky crime story, dysfunctional male camaraderie, romantic detours, and understated comic tension
Blood Simple
shares a low-key crime plot, laconic characters, absurdist humor, and an unconventional road-movie atmosphere
Reservoir Dogs
shares a stylized buddy-crime structure, eccentric criminals, and playful genre revisionism
Movie Details
- Director
- Wes Anderson
- Release Date
- 1996-02-21
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (1243)
Cast
- Luke Wilson
- Owen Wilson
- Robert Musgrave
- Lumi Cavazos
- James Caan
- Andrew Wilson
- Teddy Wilson
- Donny Caicedo
- Ned Dowd
- Jenni Tooley
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Sundance Now
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Bottle Rocket about?
- A directionless ex-patient, his wildly overconfident friend, and their hapless accomplice stumble through a West Texas crime spree that tests friendship, romance, and their fantasies of becoming outlaws.
- What is Bottle Rocket like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Bottle Rocket as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Bottle Rocket violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Bottle Rocket as mild.
- What did critics think of Bottle Rocket?
- Critics generally value the film's understated humor, humanistic character interactions, and early Wes Anderson sensibility, while finding its modest crime story uneven in places.
- Which films are like Bottle Rocket?
- Films with a similar feel include Raising Arizona, The Royal Tenenbaums, Blood Simple, and Reservoir Dogs.
- How long is Bottle Rocket?
- Bottle Rocket runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Bottle Rocket?
- In United States, Bottle Rocket streams on Sundance Now.
