A 1996 film starring Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, and
James Caan, and directed by
Wes Anderson. This film marked the major acting debut of both Owen and Luke Wilson and was Wes Anderon's directing debut.
After Anthony Adams (Luke) is released from a mental hospital following a nervous breakdown, his longtime friend Dignan (Owen) convinces him to join him and their mutual friend Robert (Robert Musgrave) on a crime spree to prove themselves to the "legendary" Mr. Henry. It quickly becomes apparent that these three are in over their heads and have no idea what they are doing.
Hilarity Ensues.
The film ultimately only screened in 48 theaters and never managed to recover its $7 million dollar budget.
This film contains examples of these tropes:
- A Simple Plan: The heist in the end, the guys were supposed to go into the factory, take the money from the safe and get out, but things go horribly wrong...
- Adaptation Expansion: The film is based on a short film made by Wes Anderson and starring Owen and Luke Wilson, also called "Bottle Rocket." It's basically the part where Dignan and Anthony steal from Anthony's house.
- Badass Grandpa: Mr. Henry, who stands up to and overpowers the younger and larger Future Man.
- Big Brother Bully: Future Man towards Bob.
- Übermensch: Future Man's name, stature and mannerisms are suggestive of the Friedrich Nietzsche "Overman" type. He is bold, strong, arrogant, and feels superior to both his brother and Bob. Future Man's downfall in the may be a commentary by the writer upon the philosophy. See also KarmaHoudini.
- Bittersweet Ending: Anthony has found happiness, but Dignan ends up in jail for two years because he was tricked into helping his old employer rob Bob while they're out on a heist.
- The Caper: Dignan is committed to getting into heists as part of his life plan. Anthony goes along with it because he has nothing better to do.
- Chekhov's Gun: While "trying out" as a getaway driver with Dignan, Bob tells him he's risk taker, since he's growing an entire crop of marijuana in his parent's backyard. Later, Bob discovers his brother, Future Man, is in prison because the police discovered the weed and believed he was a drug dealer.
- The Danza: Robert Musgrave plays Bob Mapplethorpe, and Kumar Palanna plays Kumar.
- Everyone Calls Him Barkeep: Bob's brother is only ever referred to as Future Man by the main characters, though he introduces himself as "John Mapplethorpe."
- Funny Background Event: Happens twice.
- First, while Anthony is talking to Stacy Sinclair, we hear Future Man and Bob arguing, with Future Man beating up Bob.
- Second, as Anthony is talking to Inez at the bar, we see Dignan arguing with someone about cheating, which also leads to a fight, and Dignan vainly tries to call Anthony for assistance.
- I Just Shot Marvin in the Face: Subverted. During the factory heist, Bob shoots randomly and Apple Jack hits the ground. Dignan yells at Bob, but it turns out Apple Jack is actually having a heart attack.
- Irony: Anthony originally went into psychiatric therapy because he "never wanted to answer another water-sports question" for the rest of his life, but he first sees Inez while swimming in the motel pool.
- Real-Life Relative: Future Man is played by Owen and Luke's older brother Andrew.
- Shout Out:
- Dignan introduces himself and Bob to Inez in the hotel room as Jerry and Cornelius. Jerry Cornelius is a character from Michael Moorcock's books such as "The Cure for Cancer" and "The Final Program".
- Dignan and Anthony steal an Alfa Romeo Spider, the car from The Graduate, another film about youthful ennui.
- Bob Mapplethorpe is named after Robert Mapplethorpe
, the erotic photographer.
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