The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Wes Anderson, USA, 2005, 119 minutes

Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) is a maverick adventurer and a marine biologist who earned worldwide acclaim and the devotion of millions due to his numerous aquatic documentaries, but now many years have past. He was a the red bobble hat wearing Indiana Jones of marine biology, now he is almost all washed-up, but when is best friend Esteban (Seymour Cassel) dies in the jaws of the mysterious jaguar shark Steve Zissou finds the purpose that has been sorely lacking and embarks with his crew - Team Zissou - to film his vigilante hunt for revenge against the killer shark.

"I'm going to go on an overnight drunk, and in 10 days I'm going to set out to find the shark that ate my friend and destroy it."

Before the voyage can even begin Steve Zissou struggles to find enough finance, and is forced to depend upon the help of a probably love-child Ned Plimpton (Owen Wilson) even though Steve hates fathers and hates even more becoming one. Troubles soon multiply with a reporter dogging Steve to write a poisoned puff-piece, a disgruntled crew, an estranged wife and a dangerous sea. The voyage is long full of great comic moments that serve as a wonderful background against which the drama and deadly action play out as Steve and Team Zissou struggle to face the challenges that beset them.

"Hey intern, get me a Campari."

As with any Wes Anderson film it is hard to describe the experience. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is comical, often laugh-out-loud funny, but it is not a comedy. National Geographic documentaries of old are not spoofed, but rather twisted in surreal directions, the effect being best witnessed in the magical stop-motion animation of aquatic creatures. Played against the background of surreal comedy are touching moments between characters that show Team Zissou to be like any other family that wants to get along but ends at each other's throats. The characters are so endearing that by the film's close you too will want to join Team Zissou and credit for this should go to the charismatic performances from a large and talented cast that features Anjelica Huston, Cate Blanchett, and Willem Dafoe doing a great job playing against type as the sweet and comical Klaus. And there is still more. A wonderfully surreal score comprising of Portuguese David Bowie songs delivered dogme style by the Team Zissou musician, picture postcard locations and lush and detailed sets, the center piece of which are the ship interiors realised as a deck built to life sized scale.

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is the most enjoyable two hours of surreal adventures on the high seas you see all year.

Review by Breandan Goodall
Written for EUFS Programme Autumn 2005