Drama and comedy in the new film written and directed by Sofia Coppola, where the most enjoyable thing is to see Bill Murray in a character made for his showcase
What is the plot of the film?
Laura suspects that her husband Dean, to whom she has been married for several years, may be cheating on her. It seems that they are suffering the crisis of all marriages, with two small daughters to take care of. She is also a writer but seems blocked, she cannot start writing the new book. When she tells her father, Felix, about her concerns, he will travel to New York to help his daughter. Together they will embark on an adventure through the streets of New York, in a detective's work with funny situations that will make them solve the problems of the past.
The whole issue of Dean's alleged infidelity sets in motion the true purpose of the film, which is to address the wounded relationship between father and daughter. Felix is a rich man, former owner of an art gallery, who in the past had an affair with his assistant, so he separated from his family, his ex-wife and his daughter.
He is a man, it is his nature. This is what the character Felix tells Laura, while the daughter is convinced that her husband, in her ideal world, is not like her father. She fears that the father of her two daughters might make the same mistake as her father.
Although she does not want to believe that this is possible, there are things in her husband's behavior and small details that seem to indicate otherwise. Felix, loves his daughter very much and will help her discover the truth. Both of them will follow and investigate Dean's movements.
It is during the time they investigate together the possible infidelity that father-daughter interactions occur, that they have some fun moments, mainly the interventions of Felix , who is played by Bill Murray.
When Bill Murray enters the scene, the movie becomes interesting, the movie is made for the actor to give free rein to his style. He plays an old playboy, who exclaims his point of view about women, a man of great wisdom about the art of conquest.
Felix was unfaithful to his wife and continues to flirt with any girl that comes along, no matter how old she is. Something that is shocking for his daughter, who in her heart does not forgive him the pain of leaving them when he had an affair with another woman.
There was a time when I really liked the films Sofia Coppola made. "Suicide Virgins" and "Lost in Translation" were two films that I liked and remember fondly. But all her later work became boring to me.
I liked the film The Beguiled and for a moment I thought that the director who had conquered me with her first productions was coming back. But I have to be honest, her films don't thrill me like they used to.
On the Rocks can have great moments, with Bill Murray being Bill Murray, saying his lines, singing, making a poker face, etc. But the whole story felt too artificial, with a mediocre conflict, worthy of the social class reflected on the screen.
Coppola places his characters within the elite he knows very well, in this opportunity, the female protagonist is a successful writer, in which the director seems to be reflected. An upper-middle class woman, unglamorous, who has to take care of her two daughters, write a book and lead a busy but boring life, which seems to be affecting the routine of the marriage.
It is emphasized that Laura is not very attractive, even her own family makes her seem unattractive. Her suspicions of her husband's infidelity are heightened when she goes to a party at her husband's company, where she meets her co-workers, one of whom is quite physically attractive. I disagree with the film on this; it is not the only reason men are unfaithful.
In one of his last scenes, he explains the reasons why Felix left his family when he had an affair years ago, blaming it on the routines of any marriage, with the arrival of the children and other domestic matters, which dilute the passion that exists at the beginning.
The final resolution of the film has been the most disappointing for me. The director doesn't take any risks, finishing the story, in an idealized way, where Laura's family is consolidated and everything looks like a Disney movie story.
The cast consists of Bill Murray in the role of Felix, Rashida Jones in the role of Laura and Marlon Wayans in the role of Dean. These are the first two characters, which makes the whole story spin. Murray is the one who steals the show. Rashida makes a good counterbalance as Felix's daughter, who loves him, but deep down hasn't forgiven him for all the suffering he's been through. Wayans, he just plays the role of the perfect husband.
Sofia Coppola also wrote the script for the film. If we take away all the scenes from Bill Murray, we're left with a product that's too bland. I didn't feel the same emotion as in other of his films. But that was me. I've seen that even some of the film critics think it's an excellent film. I'm sorry I don't share their enthusiasm.
On The Rocks is a light film, where the best are the scenes starring Bill Murray.
It is available on Apple TV
My Ranking: 2.7/5
Trailer
POSTER
