“This is an adventure.”—Steve Zissou
Wes Anderson’s 2004 masterpiece, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, isn’t just a film – it’s a full-on voyage into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully weird waters of Anderson’s unique cinematic universe. Anchored by Bill Murray’s deadpan, yet surprisingly vulnerable performance as the eccentric oceanographer Steve Zissou, the movie takes audiences on a fantastical adventure that mixes humor, heartbreak, and underwater spectacle. With its striking visual style, killer soundtrack, and all-star cast, The Life Aquatic is a cult favorite that earns its place as a top-tier Wes Anderson film.
But what makes The Life Aquatic so special? Let’s dive in.
The Story
At its core, The Life Aquatic is the story of Steve Zissou, a once-great oceanographer and documentarian, now a washed-up, emotionally stunted man on a mission of vengeance. After his best friend and colleague is eaten by a mythical “Jaguar Shark” during a failed underwater documentary shoot, Zissou assembles his ragtag crew of Team Zissou to track down and kill the creature. What follows is a bizarre, adventure-filled voyage across the open sea, as Zissou wrestles with a midlife crisis, strained relationships, and existential ennui.
While it’s presented as a quirky ocean adventure, The Life Aquatic is, at its heart, a deeply human story about loss, failure, and redemption. The ocean may serve as Zissou’s stage, but it’s also a metaphor for his emotional depth – or lack thereof. Over the course of the film, we see Zissou evolve from a selfish, glory-hungry man into someone who’s forced to confront his own insecurities, including his failed relationships with his estranged wife Eleanor (Anjelica Huston) and his possible son Ned Plimpton (Owen Wilson).
Bill Murray: The Perfect Zissou
Bill Murray is the undeniable soul of The Life Aquatic. He delivers one of his career-defining performances as Steve Zissou – a character who is at once absurd and achingly human. Murray’s Zissou is a man who masks his loneliness with a tough, unfeeling exterior, but the cracks in his armor are where Murray’s genius shines through. Whether he’s delivering a hilariously offhand comment or staring blankly into the abyss, Murray’s performance is a masterclass in melancholy humor. It’s through his understated approach that Zissou becomes a tragic, lovable anti-hero.
While Zissou’s quest to kill the shark might seem like the main plot, it’s really just a backdrop for his emotional journey. As he interacts with his crew (featuring a standout Willem Dafoe as the hilariously needy Klaus) and grapples with the possibility that Ned is his son, we witness his slow, stubborn transformation. It’s in these quiet moments, where the humor gives way to something more profound, that the film’s heart beats strongest.
Wes Anderson’s Aquatic Wonderland
Stylistically, The Life Aquatic is quintessential Wes Anderson. His trademark symmetrical shots, meticulous attention to detail, and whimsical set designs are all on full display. Team Zissou’s ship, the Belafonte, is a perfect example of Anderson’s love for miniatures and diorama-like settings. The cross-section of the ship, where the camera glides between rooms in one smooth motion, feels like something out of a child’s toy set – except, it’s filled with eccentric adults on an absurd mission.
The underwater sequences, featuring stop-motion animation by the legendary Henry Selick (director of The Nightmare Before Christmas), are gorgeously surreal. The creatures of the deep, like the neon-colored “Crayon Ponyfish” or the ethereal “Electric Jellyfish,” seem to swim straight out of a dream. They’re not realistic by any means, but that’s precisely the point. Anderson’s world is one where the fantastical feels completely natural. It’s a place where absurdity and beauty coexist, much like the ocean itself.
A Killer Soundtrack
If the film’s visuals are a feast for the eyes, then its soundtrack is a feast for the ears. David Bowie’s music, reimagined in Portuguese acoustic covers by Brazilian musician Seu Jorge, serves as the film’s soulful undercurrent. Jorge’s stripped-down renditions of Bowie classics like “Life on Mars?” and “Rebel Rebel” add a layer of melancholic beauty to the film, reflecting Zissou’s internal struggles.
The use of Bowie’s music isn’t just a gimmick; it becomes part of the film’s emotional fabric. Each song feels like a lament for Zissou’s lost greatness, his forgotten dreams, and his yearning for something more. And when Bowie’s original “Queen Bitch” kicks in during the film’s climactic rescue mission, it’s a jolt of pure, chaotic energy that feels absolutely earned.
The Heart Beneath the Quirk
While The Life Aquatic is undeniably quirky, with its pastel-colored wetsuits, quirky gadgets, and absurd humor, what sets it apart is its emotional core. This is a film about broken people who are trying, in their own weird way, to piece themselves back together. Zissou, in particular, is a man who has lost his way, both personally and professionally, and his quest to kill the shark is really a quest to rediscover his own relevance and purpose.
One of the film’s most touching moments comes toward the end, when Zissou finally confronts the mythical Jaguar Shark. Instead of exacting revenge, he finds himself overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the creature. In a rare moment of vulnerability, Zissou whispers, “I wonder if it remembers me.” It’s a powerful scene that captures the film’s central theme: that life, no matter how absurd or painful, is ultimately about connection—whether to other people, to nature, or to oneself.
The Verdict: A Masterpiece Beneath the Surface
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is an underappreciated gem in Wes Anderson’s filmography. While it may not have achieved the commercial success of some of his other films, it remains a cult favorite for good reason. It’s a film that grows richer with each viewing, revealing new layers of meaning beneath its quirky surface.
With a stellar cast, unforgettable visuals, and a soundtrack that perfectly captures the film’s emotional undercurrent, The Life Aquatic is more than just an adventure – it’s a deeply human story about loss, redemption, and the beauty of the unknown. Whether you’re a long-time Wes Anderson fan or new to his work, this is one cinematic voyage you won’t want to miss.
Final score? A full 10/10. The Life Aquatic is a cinematic adventure worth setting sail for – again, and again, and again.
