Synopsis
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 harebrained scheme for an as-yet-unspecified crime spree that somehow involves his former boss, the (supposedly) legendary Mr. Henry.
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Cast
- Luke WilsonAnthony Adams
- Owen WilsonDignan
- Robert MusgraveBob Mapplethorpe
- Lumi CavazosInez
- James CaanMr. Abe Henry
- Andrew WilsonJohn "Future Man" Mapplethorpe
- Teddy WilsonHector Mapplethorpe
- Donny CaicedoRocky
- Ned DowdDr. Nichols
- Jenni TooleyStacy Sinclair
- 83
Entertainment Weekly
The title refers to cheap fireworks that fizz before they flame out quietly, and that's what three Southwestern slackers do in this amiable heist movie-cum-road flick. - 80
Dallas Observer
Its tone has elements of Jim Jarmusch and the Coen brothers but without Jarmusch's self-conscious artiness or the Coens' hip snottiness. - 75
USA Today
Rocket flies with comic-kaze crooks. [21 February 1996, p. D6] - 70
Washington Post
A hilarious, inventive and goofy breath of fresh air. - 70
Chicago Reader
Fresh, character driven, often funny, and unfashionably upbeat (as well as offbeat). - 70
The New Yorker
Meanders pleasantly, like a road movie, with a seventies-style, anything-goes offhandedness that whisks the audience through the rough spots. - 60
TV Guide Magazine
This lightweight road picture about a group of inept thieves has an uneven beginning but ends up charming and satisfying. - 50
Austin Chronicle
Bottle Rocket's minimalist pop has a refreshing flavor but insufficient bubbles for a long, cool drink. Maybe someone ought to think about culling this thing down into a sustainable short film.