On The Rocks is the latest film to debut on the Apple+ platform and reunites director Sofia Coppola with Bill Murray for the first time since A Very Murray Christmas in 2015 and the incredible Lost In Translation in 2003.
Faced with sudden doubts about her marriage, a young New York mother teams up with her larger-than-life playboy father to tail her husband.
For whatever reason Sofia Coppola seems to bring out the very best in Bill Murray. Once again he comes to life in an explosion of prime Murray-ness for this offbeat family centred caper movie. With Rashida Jones and Murray having an absolute blast as they track down Marlon Wayans possibly wayward husband. Jones is the perfect foil for Murray with her put upon wife/mother/daughter to his exuberant playboy father. The best scenes in the film are whenever Murray is about, either with the nearest female with seemingly a licence to charm or being the worlds most amazing grandad, he simply consumes every scene.
Jones on the other hand is just as brilliant as she doesn’t try to go toe to toe with Murray but more allows his all consuming presence to do it’s thing while she steady the film and keeps the narrative pushing forward, its a tremendous odd couple combination.
Also, Phillipe Le Sourd’s exquisite New York cinematography is as much of a character in the film as Jones, Murray and Wayans. From the bustling streets to the high rise shots from the apartment window, every shot counts and it really makes Coppollas film pour out of the screen into your room.
A24 and Apple+ have a great movie on their hands here and while it maybe unfairly compared to Lost In Translation, it’s never going to reach those lofty heights and it’s not going to be a film that people will be talking about for years to come, it is a beautiful piece of whimsy that will certainly leave with you with a wide smile across your face.
