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July 26, 2005

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Wes Anderson - Owen Wilson = unhappy critics

On Slate today is a longish piece discussing the success and sometimes perfection of Wes Anderson's movies that were co-written with Owen Wilson (Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums) vs. the relative un-greatness of the one he did without Owen Wilson (The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.) I liked The Life Aquatic, though I will admit that it didn't quite hold together as well as the other movies, and it was this lack of structure that turned a lot of moviegoers off.

So, can we say that it was Owen Wilson's input that is the differentiating factor in these movies? Is the guaranteed-funny Owen Wilson a great writer, as well as being a fantastic comedic actor (he was even good in I Spy) and general all-around loveable person, and not only because of his ability to always look, sound, and act as though he has just ripped an enormous bong hit? Wes Anderson knows what he's doing, but it's nice to see Owen Wilson getting some of the credit he deserves.

FameTracker's adoring Fame Audit of Owen Wilson is here.

categories: Movies
posted by amy at 1:06 PM | #

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Comments

And good ole OW can also be a dramatic actor, as seen in Minus Man. (Not sure about Behind Enemy Lines, tho.) And he was great getting his ass kicked for 30 seconds by Jim Carrey in Cable Guy.

Another question is why are all his movies buddy comedies? Can't he star on his own? As with the Aristocrats joke, I don't get it.

Posted by: adm at July 26, 2005 10:56 PM

I think the answer to that is no. As charming as he is, OW IS a buddy - he's that flaky stoner who hung out in your dorm room in college and was always eating your doritos. For his appeal to work, he needs someone more manic to react to.

Posted by: Emily at July 28, 2005 9:02 AM

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