Starring: Bill Murray, Owen
Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Cate Blanchett
Released:25th Feb 2005
Cert: 15
Steve Zissou
(Murray) is one of the foremost
undersea explorers and has been thrilling the World for decades with his
adventures and discoveries.
Until recently. His popularity
seems to be dwindling which is affecting his professional credibility, his
marriage, his ability to get backers and his self-confidence.
His previous exploration ended
with the death of his long-time partner at the teeth of ‘questionable’ new breed
of shark – the Zissou named Jaguar Shark. His next mission is to search out this
mysterious creature and then destroy it in the name of revenge.
To complicate things further he takes along his 30 year old might-be-son,
Ned (Wilson), who he has never been in
contact with, a pregnant journalist (Blanchett) who may be his last chance to do
a credible cover story on him, and a broker from the bank to ensure they stay
within their planned budget.
Father-son bonding, romance,
mutiny, pirates, and general re-evaluation of self ensues.
Anyone who likes Wes Anderson’s
previous films (The Royal Tenenbaums,
Rushmore) should also enjoy this. It is much in the
same vein; a hugely talented ensemble cast depicting an eclectic bunch of
characters playing it straight throughout a ridiculous series of events.
It’s a tricky film to define; at
one level it is an outright farce with this team of oddities battling the
elements but then there is a level of serious drama as the usually stoic Zissou
comes to terms with a plethora of new emotions that make him redefine his id and
ego.
It also has moments of
self-referential irony as we are given glimpses of behind the scene mechanics
within the context of the story and an abundance of so-bad-they’re-good
animated, fictional sea creatures.
The Life Aquatic is
a truly enjoyable, engaging, intelligent and non-patronising film. Thoroughly
recommended.
