The worst film I have watched this year, I know it has not even been a week yet, has to be Sofia Coppola’s 2020 slice-of-life instalment On the Rocks which details the tenuous relationship between a New York writer and mother, and her playboy father. The playboy father is aptly played by Bill Murray who brings to the film a gravitas that would fit in well at any New York bar where rich older men pick up young desirable ladies. Juxtapose that with Rashida Jones who plays his out-of-her-wits daughter, and the soup is unfortunately served cold. The half believable adventures the characters go on in pursuit of the truth are fun and energetic, yet Jones complains and berates her father who, as its clear to see, just wants to spend time with his daughter. Jones’ character Laura has unconvincing spats with her father Felix (Murray) and also at the end with her husband Dean, played by Marlon Wayans, when she not only accuses him of infidelity but follows him to Mexico to spy on him. Deans unrealistic and boring response in this argument is the over use of the word babe and nothing else. No one is angry, no one is even sad. Then he calls her boring, his own wife and mother of his kids. This also happens when Laura reconnects with her dad after telling him to go f**k himself in Mexico. No one seems bothered, the making up is askance and dull. It is unbeknownst to me whether there was any real gusto in the acting, or if the story just wasn’t that good.

To the films credit, as expected from Coppola, the depiction of New York is poetic. It reaches further into one’s soul because it reads as a pre-pandemic love letter to a city that has been through tough coronavirus restrictions. The viewer is escorted around the city by Felix’s chauffer and bundled into the top bars with stylish interiors which add to the film’s aesthetic. Laura dons’ classic hip-hop tees and it is the highlight of the film, baggy RUN DMC and Beastie Boys tops look cool and befitting for the love letter.

The film is an exploration of what it means to be married in the modern work-work-work culture of big city living. Both Laura and Dean neglect one another. Dean doesn’t see this because he is caught up in his work and Laura likewise is ambivalent because she suspects him of cheating (even though he acts very weird, I was convinced (and still am) that he is cheating). When the film ends they’ve made amends but it doesn’t seem sincere, they don’t look good together.

Luckily for the viewer the film has a running time of 1hr and 37 minutes so it doesn’t put you out for too long. Is it worth watching? Yes, preferably hung over.

Director: Sofia Coppola
Writer: Sofia Coppola
Stars: Bill Murray, Rashida Jones, Marlon Wayans
William Rotherforth
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