On The Rocks (2020) ***

On The Rocks (2020), Sofia Coppola's latest film, is easily her most straightforward work. It's very much a Woody Allen/Noah Baumbachesque New York film, and by that I mean it concerns semi-wealthy people's marriage problems. Bill Murray is, as always, absurdly charming, even when he is delivering his sexist character's hilarious but embarrassing dialogue. I can't really complain about Rashida Jones here but nothing she did excited me and Marlon Wayans has a totally thankless role. 

There are some laughs to be had and there is a breeziness that is hard to deny. It feels a bit like Coppola was trying to make a simple, classic rom-com in the vein of a Roman Holiday (1953) (review) but it doesn't quite get there—it's too predictable in a safe way (rather than a satisfactory way) and it's mostly forgettable immediately afterward.

 

You can find my Sofia Coppola Feature Films Ranked list here.