Bottle Rocket

Wes Anderson's debut ditches kitsch in favour of surprisingly subtle comedy, in this tale of a criminally inept gang led by Owen Wilson.

After his release from a mental hospital following a psychological breakdown, the directionless Anthony (Luke Wilson) joins up with his friend Dignan (Owen Wilson), who has come up with an outlandish scheme for a crime spree that somehow involves his former boss, the supposedly legendary Mr. Henry (James Caan).

With the help of their pathetic neighbor and pal Bob (Robert Musgrove), the three pull a job and hit the road. Along the way the would-be thieves each get what they wanted, but in ways they never expected. Before developing his signature quirky sensibility, Anderson adapted his debut short into this subtle and charming comedy that's closer to 'slacker' style '90s indies than his more mannered recent works; while Owen Wilson lands a calling-card performance that promptly led to the Hollywood big time.