Bottle Rocket poster

Bottle Rocket

199691 minutesR
4.5
Arcplot Score
πŸ“ Unconventional
Unverified
⭐ 6.9IMDb
πŸ… 86%Rotten Tomatoes
Ⓜ️ 67/100Metacritic
🎬 6.7TMDb
πŸ“Š 2.6Popularity
πŸ†2 wins & 1 nomination total
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Written by: Owen Wilson, Wes Anderson
Upon his release from a mental hospital following a nervous breakdown, the directionless Anthony joins his friend Dignan, who seems far less sane than the former. Dignan has hatched a hare-brained scheme for an as-yet-unspecified crime spree that somehow involves his former boss, the (supposedly) legendary Mr. Henry. With the help of their pathetic neighbor and pal Bob, Anthony and Dignan pull a job and hit the road, where Anthony finds love with motel maid Inez. When our boys finally hook up with Mr. Henry, the ensuing escapade turns out to be far from what anyone expected.

Box Office

Budget:$7.0M
Revenue:$1.0M
Profit:$-6.0M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision5.6/10
Emotional Arc Impact1/10
Thematic Consistency7/10
Overall Score4.5/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

Bottle Rocket Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
5 min
3
Set-Up
15 min
4
Catalyst
20 min
5
Debate
25 min
6
Break Into Two
30 min
7
B Story
40 min
8
Fun and Games
50 min
9
Midpoint
60 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
70 min
11
All Is Lost
80 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
85 min
13
Break Into Three
88 min
14
Finale
90 min
15
Final Image
91 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

Dignan and Anthony attempt a minor heist, setting the tone of their quirky, small-town criminal life.

#2

Theme Stated

5 min

Friendship and loyalty are tested through misadventures and plans gone awry β€” can bonds survive chaos?

#3

Set-Up

15 min

Anthony returns from rehab and reunites with Dignan, revealing personal flaws and ambitions.

#4

Catalyst

20 min

The friends plan a larger heist to prove themselves, escalating stakes and introducing tension.

#5

Debate

25 min

Is the heist worth the risk? Anthony and Dignan question morality, friendship, and competence.

#6

Break Into Two

30 min

They commit to the plan fully, leaving behind caution and entering the world of escalating misadventures.

#7

B Story

40 min

Love and friendship dynamics deepen: familial and romantic relationships provide emotional context.

#8

Fun and Games

50 min

Heists, quirky dialogue, and comedic mishaps highlight the unique Wes Anderson style.

#9

Midpoint

60 min

The heist partially succeeds but causes conflict and separation between friends β€” a false victory.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

70 min

Complications arise: authorities, rival thieves, and miscommunication threaten the friends’ plan.

#11

All Is Lost

80 min

The plan collapses, friends face potential arrest, and personal conflicts peak.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

85 min

Anthony reflects on loyalty and friendship, questioning whether the chaos was worth it.

#13

Break Into Three

88 min

They find a new strategy to resolve the heist fallout and repair relationships.

#14

Finale

90 min

Heist resolution and reconciliation between friends, ending on comedic and heartfelt notes.

#15

Final Image

91 min

Anthony and Dignan walk off into the distance, reaffirming their friendship and quirky optimism.