The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

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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