The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Name: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Released: 2004-12-10
Cast: Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, Anjelica Huston, Willem Dafoe

2004 | 119 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

Weeknight Watch

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

It's still drawing plenty of interest, but middling reviews (57% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a lukewarm 7.1 out of 10 from audiences held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for anyone who wants a laugh and adventure fans. If you loved Ghostbusters, start here.
The mood: Provocative satire that goes after everyone.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 59 min.
What might put you off: Rated R: meant for adults.

Renowned oceanographer Steve Zissou has sworn vengeance upon the rare shark that devoured a member of his crew. In addition to his regular team, he is joined on his boat by Ned, a man who believes Zissou to be his father, and Jane, a journalist pregnant by a married man. They travel the sea, all too often running into pirates and, perhaps more traumatically, various figures from Zissou's past, including his estranged wife, Eleanor.

How it earned its rating

CriticsBelow par
57% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesBelow par
7.1 out of 10
AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Berlin award and 1 DGA Award.
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$35 million worldwide on a $50 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 290K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

Cast & crew

Directed by Wes Anderson

Bill MurraySteve Zissou
Owen WilsonNed Plimpton
Cate BlanchettJane Winslett-Richardson
Anjelica HustonEleanor Zissou
Willem DafoeKlaus Daimler
Jeff GoldblumAlistair Hennessey
Michael GambonOseary Drakoulias
Noah TaylorVladimir Wolodarsky
Bud CortBill Ubell
Seu JorgePelé dos Santos