"On The Rocks" Review: Sofia Coppola's Small But Profound Tale!
If you don’t consistently and intentionally work on your marriage, it can fall apart. Insecurities that come out in marriage after a couple of kids, body changes, and growing careers or lack thereof is what Sofia Coppola explores in her latest “On The Rocks”. This is an intimate film with big stars but grounded performances that result in a simple yet profound statement on aspects of our adult lives.
Laura (Rashida Jones) and Dean (Marlon Wayans) start their marriage like any couple in love. They ditch their wedding reception to skinny dip in the hotel pool. Fast forward a few years and a couple kids later and Laura is a struggling in her work while Dean is successfully traveling the world building his business. After feeling like Dean may be cheating, Laura confides in her devil-may-care father, Felix (Bill Murray). Due to his playboy lifestyle, he automatically assumes Dean is doing the worst and stokes the flames of Laura’s suspicion. The result is a father/daughter adventure through New York to find the truth.
The main characters in this film are Laura and Felix. Coppola purposefully brings you into the world of the father/daughter team by making the exterior world a form of set design in their stage play of life. Getting to know Laura’s daughters outside of the fact that they are kids is unnecessary. Getting to know Dean outside of the fact that he seems like a good guy but could be cheating helps us stay suspicious. Not getting to know the people that Laura interacts with in her daily life, outside of Vanessa (a funny for her bit role Jenny Slate), helps keep us focused on Laura’s thoughts about the situation.
This singular focus on Laura and Felix’s opinions and conversations about what’s happening with Dean is what helps make the film grounded in a familiar reality. What’s perhaps more profound is how Coppola’s screenwriting addresses the emotional impact of Felix’s infidelity and philandering on Laura’s life. She’s accepted him for who he is but as the story moves forward, they address those issues as well.
The film is reminiscent of a French New Wave buddy film. Coppola jump cuts through slices of everyday mundane moments that remind you of what you did this week. She gives Murray his time to shine in finely aged Murray monologues that are a joy to behold. Jones’s performance is stripped down and bare in a way that gives room for Murray to shine but not overpower her. Their relationship feels very authentic to the characters and that chemistry shines.
“On The Rocks” is a film that might go under the radar this year, but it shouldn’t be off yours! It’s entertaining, funny and poignant. Whether it hits a nerve in your current stage of life or not, it’s certainly an hour and a half well spent!
Rating: A-
