Sofia Coppola’s Academy Award-winning Lost in Translation was a blind spot in my filmography for over a decade; I know shame on me. As the pandemic took over, it provided me the opportunity to fill in the blind spots I’ve bypassed over the years. As the credits rolled on Lost in Translation, I wondered why I had waited such a long period of time to discover the masterful partnership between Coppola and Academy Award nominee, Bill Murray. One that added another layer of anticipation for their latest partnership, On The Rocks. A film that is not only a love letter to New York but a film that falls in line as Coppola’s best work since Lost in Translation.
On the Rocks opens at a wedding as cinephiles are taken into the lives of Laura (Rashida Jones), a New York mother and wife, and Dean (Marlon Wayans). As the film moves a few years into their marriage, we see Laura living the life of mother/wife; balancing both a marriage, parenting, and a career as a writer. While on the surface, their marriage comes off as wedded bliss, an underlying suspicion of potential unfaithful activity g into the mind of Laura’s father Felix (Bill Murray). From there, Coppola takes us on a journey that was nothing short of a delight.
What really works with On The Rocks is Coppola’s ability to create a story that feels real and personal. Coppola is able to bring to light the reality of balancing work and life in the most honest way. The simplicity of Laura rushing the kids to school while hearing Jenny Slate’s hilarious daily gossip adds a layer of realism that many parents experience on a day by day basis.
On the back of Laura, Dean, and Felix’s story comes the themes of assumption and the importance of not basing assumptions in a relationship on half a story. No one knows a person’s relationship better than the two involved and despite someone’s best interest, being outside the bubble could lead to interference that’s a detriment to a relationship.
Along with the theme of assumptions and relationships comes a tale of father/daughter. What really stuck with me is Coppola’s respect for that dynamic as this father/daughter relationship is not built on resentment on Laura’s side despite Felix’s extra extracurricular activities, but on love, respect, and a willingness to listen to advice despite Felix’s cooky mindset.
On The Rocks’ story is as simple as it sounds. It’s sweet, endearing and that falls in line with the electric performances of Rashida Jones and Bill Murray. While it’s great to see Marlon Wayans’ in a more serious role than we are accustomed to, Murray and Jones steal the show. The two provide one of the best and memorable father-daughter on-screen duos in quite a while.
Jones creates a complexity to Laura that is both nuanced and admirable. As a fan o
f The Office and Jones, this is a career-best performance. She is one that should be looked upon during the awards season. Now on to Murray. Bill Murray is one of my all-time favorite actors in the business, so it may come off as biased, but Murray deserves an Academy Award nomination for his performance in this film. Murray is at the top of his game as he plays to his strength with his dry-wit and sarcasm that make this role my favorite of his since his previous partnership with Coppola in 2003’s Lost in Translation.
Aiding Coppola’s story is New York City. The film like Annie Hall not only brings New York to life but makes the city an integral character in the film. Thanks to Philippe Le Sourd’s cinematography, On The Rocks is a love letter to New York City.
There is nothing I don’t love about On The Rocks. The film is an endearing and charming tale that not only captures the beauty of New York City but examines the duality and dynamic of the husband/wife and father/daughter relationship. A full-on potential awards player, On The Rocks, is one of the best films of the year.
