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On the Rocks (film)

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On the Rocks
Release poster
Directed bySofia Coppola
Written bySofia Coppola
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyPhilippe Le Sourd
Edited bySarah Flack
Music byPhoenix
Production
company
Distributed by
Release dates
  • September 22, 2020 (2020-09-22) (NYFF)
  • October 2, 2020 (2020-10-02) (United States)
  • October 23, 2020 (2020-10-23) (Apple TV+)
Running time
96 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1 million[2]

On the Rocks is a 2020 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Sofia Coppola. It follows a father and daughter (Bill Murray and Rashida Jones) as they harbor suspicions about her husband's (Marlon Wayans) fidelity. It had its world premiere at the New York Film Festival on September 22, 2020. It received a limited theatrical release on October 2, 2020, by A24, followed by digital streaming on October 23, 2020, by Apple TV+. It received positive reviews from critics, who noted it as lighter than Coppola's previous films, and praised Murray's performance.

Plot

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Laura and Dean are a married couple living in Manhattan with two young daughters, Maya and Theo. Laura is a novelist who is stuck in a rut as she struggles to finish her latest book. Dean is a successful entrepreneur at a burgeoning tech start-up, surrounded by young and attractive co-workers, often leaving Laura in charge of their daughters. One night, after arriving home from one of his frequent business trips, Dean climbs into bed and begins to kiss Laura passionately. However, once he recognizes her voice, he abruptly stops and goes to sleep, much to Laura's confusion. The next day, Laura finds a woman's toiletry bag in Dean's luggage; he later explains that it belongs to his business associate, Fiona, and he offered to carry it in his suitcase because she could not fit it in her carry-on.

Laura confides her misgivings about Dean to her father, Felix, a wealthy, semiretired art dealer. A longtime playboy, Felix flirts with most women he encounters and believes that men are biologically wired to cheat. Convinced that Dean is having an affair, Felix proposes an investigation into him and encourages Laura to check his phone for incriminating text messages. Laura reluctantly does so, but finds nothing out of the ordinary.

While away on a business trip, Dean FaceTimes Laura on her birthday and surprises her with a gift, a Thermomix, about which she does not seem particularly excited. Despite previously insisting that she did not want to celebrate her birthday, Laura agrees to go out to a restaurant with Felix. He reveals that he had Dean followed and he was spotted shopping for jewelry at Cartier. As Laura grows suspicious, Felix picks her up in his vintage sports car and convinces her to stake out Dean as he attends a work dinner. After Dean leaves in a cab with Fiona, Felix speeds through the streets after them, but Laura and he end up pulled over by two police officers due to reckless driving. Felix knows the father of one of the officers, using this to charm his way out of a ticket.

Felix later discovers that Dean is planning a trip to a Mexican resort, which Laura does not believe. The next day, Dean casually tells her about the trip. Upon learning that Fiona is going on the trip as well, an increasingly suspicious Laura calls Felix, who convinces her to follow Dean to Mexico to spy on him. At the resort, Laura and Felix argue over his infidelity, which he attempts to rationalize by saying he felt undervalued by her mother after their children were born, and tearfully reveals that his former mistress recently died. Laura asserts that his expectations regarding women's affections are unattainable. They eventually spot a woman in Dean's room one evening. When Laura rushes in to confront Dean, she is surprised to find Fiona in the room with her female friend. Meanwhile, Dean calls Laura to inform her that he left early and is on his way back home. Realizing her mistake, Laura lashes out at Felix, berating him for his selfishness and poor treatment of her mother.

Back in New York, Laura and Dean have a heart-to-heart conversation, in which they share their respective fears and insecurities; she had been feeling alienated from him due to his constant business trips, while he says he had been busy working because he wanted to be a better provider for his family. They reconcile, and Laura overcomes her writer's block. Some time later, Felix visits Laura and the two make amends. While at a restaurant, Dean surprises Laura with a second birthday gift—an engraved Cartier watch. Laura takes off the vintage watch Felix had previously given her and puts on Dean's.

Cast

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Production

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On November 15, 2018, it was announced that Apple had entered into a multi-year agreement with entertainment company A24 to produce a slate of original films in partnership with their worldwide video unit.[3] On January 15, 2019, it was announced that the first film produced under that partnership would be directed by Sofia Coppola and titled On the Rocks.[4]

Alongside the film's initial announcement, it was confirmed that it would star Bill Murray and Rashida Jones.[4] In April 2019, Marlon Wayans joined the cast of the film.[5] In June 2019, Jessica Henwick joined the cast of the film.[6] By July, Jenny Slate had been announced as joining the cast.[7]

Principal photography for the film began in June 2019 in New York City.[8]

Release

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On the Rocks had its world premiere at the New York Film Festival on September 22, 2020.[9][10] It was released in a limited theatrical release on October 2, 2020, by A24, followed by digital streaming on October 23, 2020, by Apple TV+.[11][12]

Reception

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Critical response

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On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 87% based on 290 critic reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "On the Rocks isn't as potent as its top-shelf ingredients might suggest, but the end result still goes down easy – and offers high proof of Bill Murray's finely aged charm."[13] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 73 out of 100 based on 47 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[14]

David Ehrlich of IndieWire gave the film a "B+" and said that "On the Rocks isn't destined to achieve the same kind of iconic status as some of Coppola's previous work. It isn't disposable, but it also doesn't offer anything to obsess about, which is a real change of pace for a filmmaker who launched a zillion Tumblrs and Pinterest boards and gave humanity the gif of Emma Watson saying 'I wanna rob.'"[15] Owen Gleiberman of Variety said that "On the Rocks turns into a boozy humanistic hang-out caper movie, one that's light-spirited and compelling, mordantly alive to the ins and outs of marriage, and a winning showcase for Murray's aging-like-fine-whisky brand of world-weary deviltry."[16] A. A. Dowd of The A.V. Club gave the film a B, praising Murray's performance as "an irresistible star turn, loose and funny and comfortable" but calling it weak among Coppola's work.[17]

Other reviews were less glowing. Socialist magazine Jacobin's Eileen Jones described the film as, "another meandering depiction of life as a bored and alienated celebrity," and noted it for being, "Extraordinarily vapid ... oblivious to its own world of wealth, privilege, and access."[18]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Sunset Film Circle Awards December 1, 2020 Best Supporting Actor Bill Murray Nominated [19]
Indiana Film Journalists Association December 20, 2020 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [20]
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards December 21, 2020 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [21]
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards December 21, 2020 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [22]
Greater Western New York Film Critics Association Awards December 31, 2020 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [23]
Chicago Indie Critics Awards January 2, 2021 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [24]
Alliance of Women Film Journalists January 4, 2021 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [25]
North Carolina Film Critics Association January 4, 2021 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [26]
Columbus Film Critics Association January 7, 2021 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [27]
Music City Film Critics' Association Awards January 11, 2021 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [28]
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards January 11, 2021 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [29]
Best Comedic Performance Runner-up
Best Original Screenplay Sofia Coppola Nominated
Hawaii Film Critics Society January 12, 2021 Best Supporting Actor Bill Murray Nominated [30]
North Dakota Film Society January 15, 2021 Best Original Song Thomas Mars, Christian Mazzalai, Laurent Brancowitz, Deck D'Arcy Nominated [31]
St. Louis Film Critics Association January 17, 2021 Best Comedy Film On the Rocks Nominated [32]
Best Supporting Actor Bill Murray Nominated
Denver Film Critics Society January 18, 2021 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [33]
Houston Film Critics Society Awards January 18, 2021 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [34]
Online Film Critics Society Awards January 25, 2021 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [35]
North Texas Film Critics Association January 26, 2021 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [36]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association February 8, 2021 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [37]
Dallas-Ft. Worth Film Critics Association Awards February 10, 2021 Best Supporting Actor Runner-up [38]
Satellite Awards February 15, 2021 Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical On the Rocks Nominated [39]
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical Rashida Jones Nominated
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Bill Murray Nominated
Seattle Film Critics Society February 15, 2021 Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated [40]
Golden Globe Awards February 28, 2021 Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated [41]
Final Draft Awards March 2, 2021 Storyteller Award - Film Sofia Coppola Won [42]
Hollywood Critics Association March 5, 2021 Best Female Director Nominated [43]
Best Comedy/Musical On the Rocks Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards March 7, 2021 Best Comedy Nominated [44]
Best Supporting Actor Bill Murray Nominated
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards March 28, 2021 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [45]
Best Intergenerational Film On the Rocks Nominated
American Cinema Editors Eddie Awards April 17, 2021 Best Edited Feature Film – Comedy Sarah Flack Nominated [46]

References

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  1. ^ "On the Rocks". Apple TV+. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  2. ^ "On the Rocks (2020)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  3. ^ Hipes, Patrick; Andreeva, Nellie (November 15, 2018). "Apple Inks Deal With A24 For Multiple Films As Part Of Push Into Movies". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  4. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 15, 2019). "Sofia Coppola And Bill Murray To Reteam For 'On The Rocks', Apple & A24's First Film". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  5. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 11, 2019). "Marlon Wayans Boards Sofia Coppola's Apple-A24 Movie 'On The Rocks'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  6. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 5, 2019). "'Game Of Thrones' Jessica Henwick Joins Sofia Coppola's 'On The Rocks'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 5, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  7. ^ "Legend Marlon Wayans Setting Up at Laugh Out Loud This Weekend". Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  8. ^ Steves, Ashley (June 14, 2019). "NYC What's Filming: 'On the Rocks' Starring Bill Murray + Rashida Jones". Backstage.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  9. ^ Welk, Brian (August 27, 2020). "Sofia Coppola's 'On the Rocks,' Pedro Almodovar's 'The Human Voice' and Orson Welles Doc Added to NYFF Lineup". TheWrap. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  10. ^ "On the Rocks". New York Film Festival. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  11. ^ Nolfi, Joey (August 13, 2020). "Bill Murray, Rashida Jones romp through NYC in Sofia Coppola's On the Rocks photos". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  12. ^ "Starring Rashida Jones, Bill Murray, and the illustrious New York City Statue of liberty⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ Sofia Coppola's ON THE ROCKS — In Select Theaters around the world October 2 and on Apple TV+ October 23.⁣⁣⁣⁣". Twitter. September 3, 2020. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  13. ^ "On the Rocks (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  14. ^ "On the Rocks (2020)". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  15. ^ Ehrlich, David (September 22, 2020). "'On the Rocks' Review: Sofia Coppola Reunites with Bill Murray for a Fizzy Comedy About the Cost of Being Cool". IndieWire. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  16. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (September 22, 2020). "'On the Rocks' Review: Bill Murray, His Scampishness Undimmed, Reunites with 'Lost in Translation' Director Sofia Coppola". Variety. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  17. ^ Dowd, A. A. (September 25, 2020). "Sofia Coppola Reunites with Bill Murray but Leaves Youthful Rapture Behind in the Charming On the Rocks". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  18. ^ "Sofia Coppola Wants You to Feel Bad for the Very Rich and the Very Sad". Jacobin. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  19. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 1, 2021). "The 2020 Sunset Film Circle Critics (SCC) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  20. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 21, 2020). "The 2020 Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  21. ^ Davis, Clayton (December 22, 2020). "'Nomadland' Wins Five Chicago Film Critics Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  22. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 21, 2020). "The 2020 Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  23. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 31, 2020). "The 2020 Greater Western New York Film Critics Association (GWNYFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  24. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 28, 2020). "The 2020 Chicago Indie Critics (CIC) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  25. ^ Davis, Clayton (January 4, 2021). "'Nomadland' Triumphs at Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  26. ^ Davis, Clayton (January 4, 2021). "'Minari' Wins Big With North Carolina Film Critics Association, Chloé Zhao's Directing Winning Streak Continues". Variety. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  27. ^ Neglia, Matt (January 7, 2021). "The 2020 Columbus Film Critics Association (COFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  28. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 21, 2020). "The 2020 Music City Film Critics Association (MCFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  29. ^ Throneberry, Jacob (January 8, 2021). "2021 Awards: San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) Nominations". Music City Drive-In. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  30. ^ Mulholland, Paddy (January 14, 2021). "The Trial of the Chicago 7 wins Hawaii Film Critics Society Best Picture prize". Screen On Screen. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  31. ^ Neglia, Matt (January 8, 2021). "The 2020 North Dakota Film Society (NDFS) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  32. ^ "Annual SLFCA Awards". St. Louis Film Critics Association. Archived from the original on December 20, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  33. ^ Neglia, Matt (January 18, 2021). "The 2020 Denver Film Critics Society (DFCS) Winners". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  34. ^ Anderson, Erik (January 11, 2021). "Houston Film Critics nominations: 'Minari' leads with 7". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  35. ^ Neglia, Matt (January 19, 2021). "The 2020 Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  36. ^ Neglia, Matt (January 26, 2021). "The 2020 North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  37. ^ "2020 WAFCA Award Winners - The Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA)". Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association. February 8, 2021. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  38. ^ Jorgenson, Todd (February 10, 2021). "DFW FILM CRITICS NAME "NOMADLAND" BEST PICTURE OF 2020 – Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association". Dallas-Ft. Worth Film Critics Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  39. ^ "2020 Winners | International Press Academy". International Press Academy. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  40. ^ Hall, Tim (February 8, 2021). "2020 Seattle Film Critics Society Nominations". Seattle PI. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  41. ^ "Golden Globes: Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. February 28, 2021. Archived from the original on March 14, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  42. ^ Davis, Clayton (March 3, 2021). "Aaron Sorkin, Radha Blank, Sofia Coppola Honored at 2021 Final Draft Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  43. ^ Neglia, Matt (February 1, 2021). "The 2020 Hollywood Critics Association (HCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  44. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (March 8, 2021). "Critics Choice Awards: 'Nomadland', 'The Crown' Among Top Honorees – Complete Winners List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  45. ^ Appelo, Tim (February 8, 2021). "2020 Movies for Grownups Awards Nominations". AARP. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  46. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (March 11, 2021). "'Minari,' 'Trial of the Chicago 7' Among American Cinema Editors' Eddie Awards Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
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