Can a charming, meddling father save his daughter's marriage from his own cynical worldview?
In short: In Sofia Coppola's 2020 comedy-drama On the Rocks, a novelist suspects her husband of infidelity. She turns to her father, a wealthy, playboy art dealer who believes men are biologically wired to cheat. Together, they embark on a misguided investigation that challenges their relationship and their understanding of modern marriage.
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, On the Rocks follows Laura, a Manhattan-based novelist struggling with writer's block and a husband, Dean, who is frequently away for work. When Laura discovers a toiletry bag in Dean's luggage, her father, Felix, convinces her that Dean is unfaithful. Felix, a man who views cheating as an inherent male trait, orchestrates a series of amateur surveillance missions, including a high-speed chase through New York City and a trip to a Mexican resort to catch Dean in the act.
The film serves as a character study of the generational and ideological divide between Laura and Felix. While Felix operates with a sense of entitlement and charm—often using his social connections to evade consequences—Laura eventually realizes that his cynical expectations regarding women are unattainable. The climax of their investigation reveals that Laura's suspicions were unfounded, leading her to confront Felix about his selfishness and his history of mistreating her mother. This realization allows Laura to reconcile with Dean, who explains that his long hours were driven by a desire to provide for their family.
Critical reception of the film was generally positive, with an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised Bill Murray's performance as Felix, describing it as a showcase of his world-weary charm. However, the film also faced scrutiny; some reviewers, such as Eileen Jones of Jacobin, criticized the narrative for its depiction of wealthy, alienated characters and its perceived lack of depth compared to Coppola's earlier work. Despite these mixed assessments, the film stands as a lighter, humanistic exploration of the insecurities that can strain a marriage, ultimately emphasizing the importance of communication over the cynical projections of others.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: On the Rocks (film)
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