{{short description|1996 film by Wes Anderson}} {{About|the 1996 film||}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox film | name = Bottle Rocket | image = Bottle Rocket (1996 film poster).png | alt = | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Wes Anderson | producer = Polly Platt<br/>Cynthia Hargrave | writer = Owen C. Wilson<br>Wes Anderson | based_on = ''Bottle Rocket''<br> by Owen C. Wilson<br>and Wes Anderson | starring = {{Plainlist| <!--per end credits--> * Owen Wilson * Luke Wilson * Robert Musgrave * Andrew Wilson * Lumi Cavazos * James Caan }} | music = Mark Mothersbaugh | cinematography = Robert Yeoman | editing = David Moritz | studio = Columbia Pictures<ref name="AFI"/><br>Gracie Films<ref name="AFI">{{cite web| title= Bottle Rocket| url = http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=60002| website = AFI Catalog of Feature Films| access-date = April 10, 2017}}</ref> | distributor = Sony Pictures Releasing | released = {{Film date|1996|02|21}} | runtime = 91 minutes | country = United States | language = {{Plainlist| * English * Spanish }} | budget = $5 million<ref>{{cite news| title = FILM;Their Feet in Texas, Their Heads in the Clouds | work = The New York Times | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/04/movies/film-their-feet-in-texas-their-heads-in-the-clouds.html |last=Silverman |first=Jeff | date = February 4, 1996 | access-date = September 16, 2018}}</ref> | gross = $560,069<ref>{{cite web| title = Bottle Rocket| publisher = Box Office Mojo| url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bottlerocket.htm| access-date = 2007-08-07}}</ref> }} '''''Bottle Rocket''''' is a 1996 American crime comedy film directed by Wes Anderson in his feature film directorial debut. Written by Anderson and Owen Wilson and based on Anderson's 1992 short film of the same name, it also marks the acting debuts of brothers Owen and Luke Wilson. Also featured are their older brother Andrew Wilson, Robert Musgrave, Lumi Cavazos, and James Caan. Principal photography took place in various locations throughout Texas.
Though not a commercial success due to its limited release in theaters by Sony Pictures Releasing on February 21, 1996, the film received acclaim from critics and launched the film careers of Anderson and the Wilson brothers. Director Martin Scorsese later named ''Bottle Rocket'' one of his top-ten favorite films of the 1990s.
==Plot== In Arizona, Dignan "rescues" his friend Anthony from a voluntary psychiatric unit, where he has been staying for self-described exhaustion. Dignan has developed a 75-year plan that he shows to Anthony. The plan is to pull off several heists, and then meet up with a Mr. Henry, a landscaper and part-time criminal known to Dignan.
As a practice heist, the two friends break into Anthony's family's house, stealing specific items from a previously agreed upon list. Critiquing the heist, Dignan reveals that he took a pair of earrings not specified on the list. This upsets Anthony, as he purchased the earrings for his mother as a gift and specifically left them off the list. Anthony visits his little sister at her school and asks her to return the earrings.
Dignan recruits Bob Mapplethorpe as a getaway driver because he is the only person they know with a car. The three of them buy a gun and return to Bob's house to plan their next heist, which will be at a local bookstore. The group bickers as Dignan struggles to describe his intricate plan.
The group steals a small sum of money from the bookstore and goes "on the lam," stopping to stay at a motel. Anthony meets Inez, one of the motel maids, and the two spark a romance despite a language barrier.
Bob learns that his marijuana crop at home has been discovered by police, and his older brother has been arrested. He leaves to help his brother without telling Dignan. Before leaving the motel themselves, Anthony gives Dignan an envelope to give to Inez. Dignan delivers it to her while she is cleaning a room, not knowing that the envelope has most of his and Anthony's money inside. Inez does not open the envelope.
As Dignan is leaving, Inez asks a male friend of hers to tell him that she loves Anthony. When he delivers the message he says, "Tell Anthony I love him." Dignan fails to realize he is speaking for Inez and does not deliver the message.
Dignan discovers an Alfa Romeo Spider, and he and Anthony continue with the plan. The car breaks down and Anthony reveals that the envelope Dignan gave to Inez contained their cash. They have a confrontation and part ways.
Sometime later, Dignan, who has joined Mr. Henry's gang, tracks Anthony down and they reconcile. Dignan invites him to a heist with Mr. Henry which he accepts on the condition that Bob is allowed in as well.
The four of them plan to rob a safe at a cold storage facility. Mr. Henry becomes a role model for the others, standing up to Bob's abusive brother and tutoring Dignan on success. He invites the trio to a party, and visits them at the Mapplethorpes' house. Anthony learns of Inez's love for him and calls her. Her English has improved and they rekindle their relationship.
The group conducts their heist at the cold storage facility with Applejack and Kumar, accomplices from Mr. Henry's landscaping company. The plan falls apart, with Kumar unable to crack the safe, and Bob accidentally firing his gun, which in turn triggers a cardiac event in Applejack.
As the police arrive, Dignan locks himself out of the escape van and is arrested and brutalized by police. While the crew are doing their heist, Mr. Henry loads furniture from Bob's home into a truck. Anthony and Bob later visit Dignan in prison and tell him about Mr. Henry robbing Bob.
While Bob and Anthony say goodbye, Dignan begins rattling off an escape plan and tells his friends to get into position for a getaway. After a tense moment, the two realize Dignan is joking. Dignan says to Anthony, "Isn't it funny that you used to be in the nuthouse and now I'm in jail?" as he walks back into the prison.
==Cast== {{Div col|colwidth=25em}} *Owen Wilson as Dignan *Luke Wilson as Anthony Adams *Robert Musgrave as Bob Mapplethorpe *James Caan as Abe Henry *Lumi Cavazos as Inez *Ned Dowd as Dr. Nichols *Shea Fowler as Grace *Haley Miller as Bernice *Kumar Pallana as Kumar *Andrew Wilson as Jon Mapplethorpe / Future Man *Brian Tenenbaum as Clay Murchison *Stephen Dignan as Rob *Anna Cifuentes as Carmen *Donny Caicedo as Rocky *Jim Ponds as Applejack {{div col end}}
==Production== In 1992, Wes Anderson directed a 13-minute short film, titled ''Bottle Rocket''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calvario |first=Liz |date=2016-06-25 |title=Wes Anderson's 'Bottle Rocket' Short Film: Watch the 13 Minute Clip That Launched His Career |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2016/06/wes-anderson-bottle-rocket-short-film-owen-wilson-luke-wilson-1201699581/ |access-date=2019-04-24 |website=IndieWire |language=en}}</ref> The short was filmed in black and white, and also starred Owen and Luke Wilson and Musgrave. The short had a similar plot to the later feature film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Trey |date=2016-02-24 |title=What you didn't know about Wes Anderson's first film |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/30023/1/what-you-didn-t-know-about-wes-anderson-s-first-film |access-date=2019-04-24 |website=Dazed |language=en}}</ref> The film was screened at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-06-21 |title=Wes Anderson's first film, the original B&W 'Bottle Rocket' short from 1992 |url=https://dangerousminds.net/comments/wes_andersons_first_film_the_original_bw_bottle_rocket_short_from_1992 |access-date=2019-04-24 |website=DangerousMinds}}</ref> where it attracted the attention of filmmaker James L. Brooks who agreed to finance a full-length version of the short.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas-Mason |first=Lee |date=2021-07-15 |title=Wes Anderson's black-and-white short film 'Bottle Rocket' |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/wes-anderson-bottle-rocket-short-film-watch-online/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=Far Out |language=en-US}}</ref>
With the exception of its introduction, which was shot at Camarillo State Mental Hospital, the feature-length film was shot in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Hillsboro, Texas.<ref>{{cite web | last=Seal | first=Mark | title=Celebrated Weekend: Luke Wilson's Austin | url=http://americanwaymag.com/aw/travel/celebrated.asp?archive_date=6/15/2003 | work=American Way | access-date=2007-08-08 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808024140/http://americanwaymag.com/aw/travel/celebrated.asp?archive_date=6%2F15%2F2003 | archive-date=2007-08-08 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The scenes at Bob Mapplethorpe's house were filmed at the John Gillin Residence.<ref>{{cite web | last=Neilson | first=Charlotte | title=Bottle Rocket 1996 - The Gillin Residence | work=Casting Architecture | url=http://www.castingarchitecture.com/2012/12/05/bottle-rocket-1996-the-gillin-residence/ | access-date=2014-07-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103110547/https://www.castingarchitecture.com/2012/12/05/bottle-rocket-1996-the-gillin-residence/ | archive-date=2019-01-03 | url-status=usurped}}</ref>
After the film failed to achieve commercial success, Owen Wilson considered joining the Marines.<ref name="marines">{{cite journal |url=http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?31216-Owen-Wilson-From-movies-to-the-marines |title=Owen Wilson: From movies to the marines |journal=Leatherneck |date=June 20, 2006 |access-date=February 3, 2016}}</ref> Bill Murray was considered for the role of Abe Henry.<ref>{{cite web |last=Locke |first=Greg W. |date=26 August 2011 |title=The Top 25 Roles Bill Murray Didn't Take |url=http://www.zecatalist.com/lists/the-top-25-roles-bob-murray-didnt-take/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125110247/http://www.zecatalist.com/lists/the-top-25-roles-bob-murray-didnt-take/ |archive-date=2011-11-25 |access-date=25 May 2015 |website=Ze Catalist}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Evans |first=Bradford |date=17 February 2011 |title=The Lost Roles of Bill Murray |url=http://splitsider.com/2011/02/the-lost-roles-of-bill-murray/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520115025/http://splitsider.com/2011/02/the-lost-roles-of-bill-murray |archive-date=2015-05-20 |access-date=25 May 2015 |website=Vulture}}</ref>
==Reception== thumb|Fans watch a showing in Hillsboro, TX at the motel where much of the movie was filmed. ''Bottle Rocket'' received generally positive reviews from film critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an 86% rating based on 71 reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The site's consensus describes the film as "''Reservoir Dogs'' meets ''Breathless'' with a West Texas sensibility".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bottle_rocket/ |title=Bottle Rocket (1996) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango Media |access-date=7 August 2023}}</ref> On Metacritic, it has a 66/100 weighted average score based on 24 critics.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/bottle-rocket |title=Bottle Rocket |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=9 July 2019}}</ref>
Martin Scorsese is a fan of the film, calling it one of his favorite movies of the 1990s.<ref name="variety">{{cite web |last=Khatchatourian |first=Maane |date=March 6, 2014 |title=Wes Anderson: 12 Fun Facts About His Movies |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/12-fun-facts-about-wes-anderson-movies-1201127189/ |access-date=2017-09-11 |work=Variety}}</ref><ref name = "Scorsese">{{cite episode| title = Martin Scorsese's Best Films of the '90s| series = Roger Ebert & the Movies| series-link = At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper| credits = Martin Scorsese (guest host), Roger Ebert (host)| airdate = 2000-02-26| season = 1| number = 26}}</ref> In a 2000 interview with ''Esquire'', Scorsese praised Wes Anderson for his ability to "convey the simple joys and interactions between people so well and with such richness".<ref name=variety/>
==Home media== In 2008, ''Bottle Rocket'' was released on DVD and Blu-ray as part of The Criterion Collection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bottle Rocket |url=https://www.criterion.com/films/594-bottle-rocket |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=The Criterion Collection |language=en}}</ref> It was released on Ultra HD Blu-ray by Criterion on September 30, 2025, as part of the ten film collection ''The Wes Anderson Archive: Ten Films, Twenty-Five Years''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zavaleta |first=Jonathan |date=2025-06-02 |title=The $500 Wes Anderson Criterion Box Set Is Cinephile Catnip |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/wes-anderson-criterion-box-set-where-to-buy-1235352817/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Soundtrack== * ''Bottle Rocket'' (soundtrack)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Wikiquote|Bottle Rocket}} * {{IMDb title|0115734}} * {{Mojo title|bottlerocket}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes|bottle_rocket}} * [http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/bottlerocket.html Screenplay by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20131230164436/http://silverscreensites.com/ Photos of ''Bottle Rocket'' Movie Locations As They Appear Today] *[https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/886-bottle-rocket ''Bottle Rocket''] an essay by James L. Brooks at The Criterion Collection
{{Wes Anderson}} {{Gracie Films}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bottle Rocket}} Category:1996 films Category:1990s buddy comedy films Category:1996 crime comedy films Category:American buddy comedy films Category:American crime comedy films Category:American heist films Category:Columbia Pictures films Category:Features based on short films Category:Films scored by Mark Mothersbaugh Category:Films directed by Wes Anderson Category:Films set in Texas Category:Films shot in Texas Category:Gracie Films films Category:1996 independent films Category:Films with screenplays by Owen Wilson Category:Films with screenplays by Wes Anderson Category:1996 Spanish-language films Category:1990s heist films Category:1996 directorial debut films Category:1996 comedy films Category:1996 English-language films Category:1996 American films Category:English-language crime comedy films Category:English-language buddy comedy films Category:Spanish-language crime comedy films Category:Spanish-language American films Category:American multilingual films