On the Rocks

Sofia Coppola teams up with Bill Murray for the first time since their 2003 masterpiece. The film has him leading his daughter around NYC on a mission to catch her husband having an affair. It all feels very slight -- like a caper comedy about rich people problems. Murray's charisma carries the bulk of the running time, and there are some good scenes. However, it lacks any and all profundity... settling for mild chuckles and forgoing the sting in the tail that the film so desperately needed.

Previews are better than the movie, with the ending a complete letdown after what seemed like three hours of nothing. Murray's character is cliche. The womanizer who knows everyone, or relative of, thus talking himself through every situation, makes the movie lack any sense urgency or conflict. The only conflict is whether Wayans is cheating or not. In the end, there's zero fallout from a wasted agenda. Unless you love these actors when they're not funny, skip it. Wayans, Jones, Murray and Coppola are so much better than this money grab.

This movie seems likes its been made 1,000 times before. Nothing new really. Technically, I was very surprised at the constant sound issues. There are more than a few times when dialogue was added to a scene and it is obvious to the audience. Quite surprising from a well respected director. One thing that got tired quickly was the stereotypical notion that men cheat. Every 5 minutes, we are reminded that men cheat. They have no choice. This is a lie that keeps being told over and over. Today one is not supposed to stereotype any group, but apparently it is still ok to stereotype men. The truth is that just as many married women cheat as much as men, if not more, and studies reflect this. Ironically, this movie makes such an effort to be politically correct, but decides its perfectly ok to have the most ugly and baseless stereotype around apply to men.

I really loved this film. The chemistry of Jones and Murray was a real driving force, and both characters were, to me at least, very well rounded, interesting and funny. I think it was shot beautifully, and all of the short scenes really conveyed the mundanity of her life, and the monotony of adulthood. I loved the semi redemption of Murray's character, with some people unable to forgive his actions, but his relationship with his daughter struggling through. I just found the whole thing very real, and affecting, and overall I loved it.

Bill Murray was charming and seemed completely natural. The father/daughter relationship was touching. I would definitely recommend this movie when you are ready for a character driven story instead of a super hero CGI movie.