On The Rocks Q&A

Originally posted 12/10/2020

A24 & AppleTV+ invited members of The Philadelphia Film Critics Circle to a screening and post Zoom Q&A featuring writer/director Sofia Coppola, and cast members Rashida Jones & Marlon Wayans moderated by Variety‘s Clayton Davis.

Synopsis: The story of a young mother who reconnects with her larger-than-life playboy father on an adventure through New York. In this comedy about aging, marriage, and the tenuous bond between parents and grown children, New York author and married mother-of-two Laura (Rashida Jones) has become suspicious that her career-driven husband (Marlon Wayans) may be having an affair with a coworker, a speculation encouraged by her caddish, bon vivant father (Bill Murray).

Tinsel & Tine #SuperMiniMovieReview Sofia Coppola suffers from M. Night Shymalan syndrome – you know they are talented and you’re willing to watch most anything they create; and yet, because their subsequent films never live up to their debut work, there’s always a feeling of let down.

I love the idea of a movie centered around an adult father/daughter relationship that doesn’t have to do with caring for an aging parent. I enjoyed the fact that they share a love of Martini’s and that the father (Bill Murray) actually goes looking to spend a little quality time with his offspring. There just seems to be something that doesn’t jell with the mixing of tones. At its core it’s an indie-light-family-angst-this-is-where-I-am-now-examination. However, she also wants to give it the sense of a screwball, buddy comedy. I really wish she had gone all in for the comedy. As I’d have liked to see Rashida Jones’ character ease up and go with it, have more fun. If it had taken that turn, ON THE ROCKS would have been in my Top 10 of 2020

T&T @largeassmovieblogs rating: 3.5 outta 5

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