On The Rocks
Starring: Rashida Jones, Bill Murray, Marlon Wayans, Jenny Slate
Directed By: Sofia Coppola
Rated: R
Sofia Coppola is back at it with her 7th feature film, On the Rocks. I’ve long been a fan of Coppola’s work as a director since films like Marie Antoinette, The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, and The Bling Ring. So, naturally, I was excited to see her latest endeavor starring Bill Murray and Rashida Jones.
Sadly, Coppola’s latest never really takes off in the same way her other films do. Instead of the bold cinematic vision present in Marie Antoinette and The Virgin Suicides, On the Rocks feels extremely low-key. It’s like she knew it would be a straight to streaming release that wouldn’t be seen on the big screen by most audiences. The film is one of the first major cinematic releases for Apple Tv Plus, but it feels like it was meant for the streaming service.
The film is decent enough as it follows Rashida Jones as Laura; the hardworking mom stuck in a marital rut as she suspects her husband is cheating on her with his co-worker. Cue Billy Murray as Felix, the playboy father who’s ready to play private detective to see if his son-in-law is cheating. Murray is the scene-stealer injecting a much-needed jolt of energy into the film. He’s beloved by almost everyone he meets, but he and Laura have their own set of issues they need to work through. One has to wonder if Coppola wrote the film from her own personal experience with famous father, Francis Ford Coppola.
The best part of On the Rocks is the father/daughter dynamic between Laura and Felix. Murray and Jones work wonderfully together. Rashida Jones is the hardworking straight character to Murray’s comedic carefree dad. It’s fun to watch the two play off of each other. You can tell they’re both having a good time.
Sadly, their chemistry cannot save the whole of the film. There are several elements of Coppola’s screenplay that are quite predictable and downright boring. Long before the film’s resolution, it’s clear that certain plot points will take place, making for cliched story elements. This is not the novel-esque storytelling of the Virgin Suicides or the biting satire of The Bling Ring. Nor does it have the stunning cinematography that fans have grown accustomed to in Coppola’s previous work. Instead of the beautiful cityscapes of Lost in Translation, the vibrant pastels of Marie Antoinette, or the dream-like quality of the Virgin Suicides, On The Rocks is just a washed-out blue New York City. It’s true, I’m hypercritical of the film, but as a massive fan of Coppola’s previous work, I can’t help but feel let down. It’s 2020 though, what did I expect?
On the Rocks is Sofia Coppola’s most low-key film to date. Rashida Jones and Bill Murray bring great chemistry to the father-daughter dynamic of the plot. However, the cliched storyline makes it feel like a straight to streaming release more than a groundbreaking achievement.
My Rating: 6/10