The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

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—Overview
—Trailers, Photos
—About this Film pdf
—Spiritual Connections

Want to see something completely different from the rest of the cookie-cutter genre movies that are currently playing? Director and co-writer Wes Anderson has created a colorful and quirky world in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou—a place where animated fish swim and trained dolphins practice reconnaissance. The movie reminds one of the beautifully intricate decorations inside a child’s doll house: each detailed piece is neatly in place and deserving to be seen. The characters, props and set design should be preserved in a coffeetable book for repeated viewing. And similar to Anderson’s previous gem The Royal Tenenbaums, each frame of the film is a carefully arranged work of art. One could simply enjoy the artsy sound track and absorb the visual richness and feel satisfied. And how about Zissou’s cool ship, the Belafonte?! I can’t think of a boy who wouldn’t give their lunch money to tour its various rooms and decks (including this boy).

So it looks neat, but does the narrative work? The story is an odd blend of comedy and adventure that struggles at times to find its rhythm. Some of the humor is so straightfaced that it glides right over the audience, and one can detect the not so faint this-is-too-cool-to-be-playing-at-the-megaplex vibe at times. The film teeters on inaccessibility, from its bizarre cartoon-like “Johnny Quest� plotline to the reoccurring David Bowie songs performed in a foreign language. I guess the best way to describe it is the love child of a summer popcorn movie and a pretentious independent film. And you know what? I loved every minute of it. The oceanographer adventure plot is refreshingly inventive, and explorer Steve Zissou is the washed-up hero that everyone can relate to and love.

The characters that inhabit this picture book film are truly as vibrant as Steve Zissou’s bright red hat. Bill Murray (Steve Zissou) continues his recent trend of fine performances and completely captures Zissou’s cocky yet world-weary demeanor. Owen Wilson’s subtle (yes, I said subtle) work as Ned Plimpton opposite Murray creates a chemistry between the two leading characters. Zissou, a world-renowned oceanographer and filmmaker, recently lost his eldest partner to the terrifying Jaguar Shark and sets out to hunt it down. In the process we are introduced to Plimpton, who is supposedly Zissou’s grown son. Plimpton is in awe of finally meeting his “dad� and his childhood hero. Plimpton is invited to join Zissou and the madcap expedition begins.

The voyage of this colorful crew is a metaphor for the often turbulent and tragic journey of humanity. You see, Zissou has become hardened and disillusioned by his film career, and the joy and zest for creative discovery has left him. The childlike excitement of a wide-eyed boy has been replaced by a graying man who is no longer amazed by the kaleidoscope of creatures that inhabit the sea. Yet when a young boy hands Zissou a tiny seahorse near the beginning of the film, we begin to see a spark of life reappear in Zissou’s tired frame. He is not yet aware of it, but his journey to rediscover himself begins at this moment. As he pours the seahorse into a wine glass and raises it above his head, we’re reminded of the simple wonder and joy in life which is often buried underneath the glamor, lights, and celebrity of the grown up world. His movies are a flop, his partner has died, and his relationships are sour, yet Zissou finds a spark of delight in this magical gift from a youngster.

Zissou continues to find redemption in another young gift: Ned Plimpton. He is the son Zissou never had. Plimpton wanted to be Steve Zissou when he was younger, and he views Zissou’s life through the eyes of an eight year old child; this is the glorious world of fantastical underwater escapades and excitement. But Plimpton soon sees what Zissou has become—an equipment stealing, pot smoking, cranky filmmaker who no longer inspires the heart. Zissou’s soul evolution is sparked by Plimpton’s warm and urgent relationship with him. We watch Zissou’s love sprout out of his awkward acceptance of fatherhood.

Interwoven in between many offbeat moments, the film’s theme reminds us that the cares and worries of the world can quickly choke the life and imagination right out of us. The expectant and mysterious world of childhood, where anything can happen, is often withered in the scorching world of business and money. The greatest danger we all face is waking up one day to realize that our faith in God and our childlike acceptance of and obedience to Him has been overtaken by the smothering cynical weeds of age. The exciting adventure we once started becomes a stale crawl through mediocrity.

However, by drudging through depression and literally looking into the stare of death, Zissou rediscovers life. His journey to the darkest and deepest part of the ocean is what ultimately brings him back to the surface. Zissou stares into the glowing eyes of the creature he fears most, and in the most amazing paradox of human existence, he finds life in the midst of death. In the final scene, his documentary movie now complete, we watch as the opening night audience applauds the results. Who wouldn’t cheer watching these peculiar characters overcome such obstacles?

The final, strikingly beautiful image of a rosy-cheeked lad riding on Zissou’s shoulders is a visual exclamation point to the message of the film. The spark of wonder is everywhere in life; the whole creation proclaims the glory of God. Live life to the fullest and keep looking forward with excitement and ambition. Reality is a mixture of life and death, youth and age, dark and light. What we choose to see is up to us—and the glorious colors of the open sea are beckoning us to look.