My 50 Favorite Flicks • #25

Another Bill Murray performance makes it’s way on the list…

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

At one time, The Royal Tenenbaums would have been in this slot. I preferred that film over Life Aquatic for a long time.  But time has shown that I have watched this way more times.  The more you see this film, the more you pick up in it.  The funny simple plot of revenge on a shark, the amazing soundtrack covering David Bowie tunes acoustically, the marvelous cast of characters and Bill Murray.  This all comes together so nicely, and gives us a film that feels comfortable and fun everytime we watch it.  Other things that make me smile about this film include, the model set of the ship, the attire that the Zissou crew wears including the hat, sneakers and blue jumpsuits, interns handling guns, and the scene where they raid the beach to the glorious music of Iggy Pop and the Stooges “Search and Destroy”.  Personally, I feel this was Wes Anderson’s best film and the rest seem to decline  from then on. His style didn’t feel like an imitation of itself at this point.