It’s impressive how Sofia Coppola has managed to build a unique career for herself, especially considering her father is Francis Ford Coppola, the director of films like *The Godfather* trilogy and *Apocalypse Now*. It would have been easy to be overshadowed by his success, but she's instead forged her own path, notably with acclaimed films like *Lost in Translation*. This made me quite interested in seeing *On the Rocks*. This film continues Coppola’s tendency to explore weighty themes through a seemingly lighthearted lens. The story centers on whether Laura (Rashida Jones)’s husband, Dean (Marlon Wayans), is being unfaithful. While this plotline doesn't offer many surprises, Coppola crafts wonderfully engaging interactions between the characters, particularly between Laura and her father, Felix (Bill Murray). The film initially focuses on establishing Laura’s everyday life, which allows for a very natural development of her character. These early scenes, before Felix appears, do an excellent job of portraying Laura's state of mind. Her thoughts, feelings, and uncertainties are conveyed through both direct explanations and subtle expressions from Rashida Jones, who gives a nuanced and richly layered performance. Then Bill Murray arrives as Felix, a charming but complicated man who seems unable to resist flirting or making ill-considered remarks like, "I think I'm getting deaf to women's voices.” His relationship with his daughter appears exceptionally close; she trusts his outlandish theories despite their shaky foundation. My biggest concern with the film arises later on. Up until the final third, *On the Rocks* felt incredibly authentic. Every scene, conversation, and action seemed grounded in reality, making it difficult to identify anything that felt unnecessary. Each scene offered new insights into a character or situation. However, the last thirty minutes take the central characters (Laura and Felix) down a path that stretches credibility, causing me to question whether Laura would genuinely act as she does, given what we’ve seen of her personality. That isn't necessarily the core issue, though. The real problem stems from a revelation in the final act that raises questions about their relationship. Without giving anything away, Sofia portrays Felix as a fun and entertaining man who occasionally makes jokes that are perhaps inappropriate. However, learning about a certain aspect of his past and its impact on his family caused me to lose some empathy for him. This reveal is probably the only marginally surprising element in the film, not because it's shocking (the movie hints at it), but because viewers have been so focused on whether Dean is cheating. This new information makes me wonder how Laura could be so close to her father without ever addressing this situation, especially towards the end when the subject matter resurfaces. Despite my lengthy explanation, I still enjoyed the film! This negative aspect doesn't ruin it; it’s beautifully produced with every technical element working in harmony. Coppola expertly manages both the pacing and tone throughout. Still, Rashida Jones and Bill Murray truly shine. Both deliver outstanding performances, handling the dialogue effortlessly and fully embodying their characters. Marlon Wayans is also quite good, despite his limited screen time. Despite its short length, the premise proves to be more captivating than I initially anticipated. I became deeply invested in discovering the answer to the central question, and even with the somewhat disappointing final act, the storyline is brilliantly executed. Ultimately, *On the Rocks* represents another success for A24 and Apple TV+. Sofia Coppola continues her distinctive career with a film that embodies one of her trademarks: serious themes explored through a lighter perspective, compelling character interactions, and a premise that turns out to be more engaging (though still somewhat predictable) than expected. Rashida Jones and Bill Murray are genuinely impressive, sharing palpable chemistry and carrying the narrative on their shoulders. It feels like a real story about real people... at least until the final act, when an unbelievable sequence leads to a revelation that challenges the father-daughter bond and rushes the resolution of this declaration. I still recommend it as a pleasant way to spend an evening due to its short runtime and generally enjoyable storyline. Rating: B-

Source on TMDB