On the Rocks (2020)

Director: Sofia Coppola
Screenwriter: Sofia Coppola
Starring: Bill Murray, Rashida Jones, Marlon Wayans, Jessica Henwick, Jenny Slate

Sofia Coppola first drew attention with her debut feature, The Virgin Suicides (1999), and secured a distinct filmmaking voice with Lost in Translation (2003). That film brought Coppola wide critical recognition and an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, while also raising the profiles of its lead actors. On the Rocks reunites Coppola with Bill Murray for the first major feature collaboration since that early success. Released by Apple TV+ in partnership with independent production, the film is a gently comic, character-driven drama set against the streets and skyline of New York City.

In On the Rocks, Bill Murray plays Felix, a charismatic New York art gallery owner who becomes convinced that his daughter’s husband is unfaithful. Rashida Jones portrays Laura, a harried working mother who begins to question her marriage to Dean (Marlon Wayans). Felix insists on helping Laura by tailing Dean around the city, initiating a series of low-stakes surveillance capers that mix humor with family tension. The premise gives Coppola room to explore father-daughter dynamics as much as it examines romantic trust.

Coppola’s screenplay favors subtle character moments over melodrama. She uses Felix’s roguish charm—expertly embodied by Murray—to contrast with Laura’s steadier, more anxious temperament, played with quiet precision by Jones. Their chemistry anchors the film: Murray’s freewheeling presence and comic instincts push scenes into playful territory, while Jones keeps the story emotionally grounded. The film asks what it means to trust one another and how family history can shape adult choices, all while allowing room for silliness and warmth.

Visually, On the Rocks functions as a love letter to New York. Coppola treats the city like a supporting character, framing nighttime skylines and familiar neighborhood streets with attentive cinematography and an eye for atmosphere. The result recalls classic urban comedies and romantic films that capture the city’s layered textures, from neon-lit avenues to quieter residential blocks. The New York setting is integral, giving the film a distinct sense of place that complements its intimate story.

Critics have generally responded positively, noting the film’s charm and the chemistry between its leads. Some reviewers have observed that On the Rocks is a lighter, more conventional piece of Coppola’s filmography than some of her earlier, more elliptical works. For viewers expecting a tone identical to Lost in Translation, the difference is notable: this film leans into straightforward humor and familial warmth rather than extended meditations on loneliness. That tonal shift does not undermine the film’s strengths; instead, it highlights Coppola’s versatility and the subtle risks of working within a breezier form.

Bill Murray’s performance is a highlight: he lends Felix an affable confidence that remains surprising and human. Rather than relying solely on comic beats, Murray brings nuance to a character who can be both endearing and infuriating. Rashida Jones complements him well, delivering a performance that balances vulnerability with quiet resilience. The supporting cast, including Marlon Wayans as the husband under suspicion, contributes to the film’s steady comic rhythm.

On the Rocks runs at a relaxed pace and rewards viewers who appreciate character-driven storytelling and city-centered mood pieces. It is lighter in tone than much of Coppola’s recent work, but in doing so it reveals another facet of her storytelling—one that is affectionate, observant, and often gently funny. For audiences who enjoy films about relationships shaped by family history, set to the hum of urban life, On the Rocks offers a pleasing, well-acted ninety-minute escape.

19/24