‘On the Rocks’: Bill Murray shines in this father-daughter outing
Bill Murray is the most endearing aspect of “On the Rocks,” Sofia Coppola’s seventh film as writerdirector. Behind his trademark deadpan expression, Murray still has twinkle and mischief in his eyes. And he brings out the same kind of lonely wistfulness we saw in his earlier association with Coppola, in 2003’s “Lost in Translation.” Here, Murray plays Felix, whose daughter Laura (played by Rashida Jones, who starred in “I Love You, Man” and “The Social Network”) finds herself in a bit of a rut.
“On the Rocks” — on Apple TV+ and set in New York — is just as sentimental and sweet as “Lost in Translation.” As Coppola’s latest adventure begins, we see Felix, who has made his millions as an art dealer, in the lap of luxury with a chauffeured Mercedes, first-class hotels and sensational magic in his persona. But having divorced his wife many moons ago, he longs to nurture the relationship with his daughter Laura, who is married to the very successful Dean (Marlon Wayans) with two lovely daughters. However, in a kind of mid-marriage crisis, Laura is led into having doubts about Dean’s fidelity, especially after he gets busy with a new professional venture that takes him away on frequent trips. His “leggy” assistant, Fiona, accompanies him, and Laura confides this to her dad, who weaves stories of all that could be happening between Dean and his assistant. Felix suggests that they follow the possibly philandering husband, and a troubled Laura gets talked into it.
All this leads to hilarious situations with Felix always in command, even when cops catch him speeding as he is trying to tail Dean’s cab. Wittily calm and composed, he is the sort of guy who will unabashedly say to a passing stranger that she looks beautiful and get away with it, much to his daughter’s consternation.
“On the Rocks” has great moments, and is compelling to a great extent, with Murray engaging us with full-of-life banter. Jones matches up to him, a nervous wife tottering on the edge of what has been a great marriage. She hides her angst with remarkable alacrity, trying to play a good mother to her kids, while her dad leads her up the garden path. “On the Rocks” is happily no weepy tale, and Coppola spices it up.