Genre:
Comedy
Directed
by: Wes Anderson
Starring:
Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett
Running
time: 118 minutes
Steve
Zissou is an aging oceanographer and documentarian who is going on his latest
mission, to hunt the “Jaguar shark” that ate one of his colleagues on a
previous expedition. This time around, he has on board with him his long lost son,
which he had with a woman, decades before, and a journalist chronicling the
trip. This new adventure promises to be filled with emotions Zissou might not
be ready to contend with.
Of
all of Wes Anderson’s films, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou has to be the
most quirky and off-beat, and that is saying a lot. That being said, that
quirkiness is definitely part of its charm. I had seen this movie, years ago,
and I must admit I liked it better this time around.
Wes
Anderson sure has developed a knack, over the years, for working with
interesting colors and textures. Whenever you watch his movies, you cannot help
paying attention to everything on the screen, as every element battles for your
attention. And what to say about the music? Once again, the soundtrack was a
big part of the package. I must admit that the David Bowie songs sung in Portuguese
and played on acoustic guitar was a nice touch.
Once
again, we find many of the Wes Anderson regulars on cast, such as Bill Murray,
Owen Wilson and Angelica Huston. Bill Murray is real solid here, as usual. His
transformation is profound and he really becomes this blasé
Jacques-Cousteau-esque character. He has really mastered that kind of role as
of late, and he showed once again how much he controls his craft as Steve
Zissou. You forget his previous roles and joins him on his adventure.
The
story tended to drag a bit here and there, with some unnecessary scenes slowing
the expedition down. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou also occasionally
crossed the line between pastiche and parody, feeling is a tad over-the-top in
the process. That being said, it definitely was a movie with a good dose of
charm and humor, though definitely not Anderson’s best offering.
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