On the Rocks

On the Rocks is a delight.

If you can look beyond the 90-minute runtime depriving this movie of a more satisfying conclusion, there is not simply “a lot to like,” there’s an embarrassment of riches crying out for perusal. On the Rocks is the kind of doodle only a truly skilled director could produce.

Fundamentally, On the Rocks understands that the rich complexity of long-term relationships – both paternal and spousal – can never truly be captured, only gestured towards. The result, on screen, is deeply warm, funny and comforting, and among Coppola’s finest work.

On the Rocks is light-hearted and, ultimately, more a story about a girl and her father. The good and the bad of that parental legacy and the task of disentangling from it forms the subtext of On the Rocks.

This film is the slightest story Coppola has ever produced; it only brushes up against deeper insights during its brief running time. But the movie offers such a rush of unintentional catharsis and pure diversion that its flaws are easy to forgive.

It’s an agreeable diversion.

Things happen in On the Rocks, but the caper-flick high jinks viewers expect to ensue never come to full, cockeyed fruition.

Such a great light and entertaining movie. Happiness with Bill Murray is in the small things, and this movie is no different. Interesting story line, fun conversation set in New York. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie.

I can't say that Sofia Coppola is a bad filmmaker, but I must admit that after three years, her new bet is something that feels too passive for its own good. This movie is basically a sitcom, and sadly, more is expected from Bill Murray than from Coppola herself or Rashida Jones. And it's that basically once you do the final sum, the only reason why this very rudimentary story receives more attention than it really deserves, is due to the protagonists and the director and when all three of them are only playing in their automatic mode, you can't help but feel disenchanted. Competent enough to pass the time. Notably forgettable for the careers of everyone involved.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

This movie isn't bad, per se, but it just... wasn't good. Best way to describe it is boring and dry. There's not much to it, really. I had high hopes as the casting is great but it really leaves the viewer wanting. It lacks music that actually adds depth and feeling and the story is seriously lacking any climax that actually feels like the height of the plot. Don't waste your time on this one.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]