Bongwater (1997)

David is an aspiring artist and a pot dealer, and he falls in love with constantly smoking Serena. Serena gets jealous and goes off to New York with heroin-addicted Tommy, and David wants ... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Sears

Writers:

Michael Hornburg (novel), Nora Maccoby,

Stars:

Luke Wilson, Alicia Witt, Amy Locane

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Luke Wilson	...	David
Alicia Witt	...	Serena
Amy Locane	...	Jennifer
Brittany Murphy	...	Mary
Jack Black	...	Devlin
Andy Dick	...	Tony
Jeremy Sisto	...	Robert
Jamie Kennedy	...	Tommy
Scott Caan	...	Bobby
Christian J. Meoli	...	Tobo (as Christian Meoli)
George Kuchar	...	Homeless Man
Patricia Wettig	...	Mom
Michael Artura	...	Cop
Scott Anthony Ferguson	...	Fireman
Kyle Gass	...	Guitar Player

Storyline

David is an aspiring artist and a pot dealer, and he falls in love with constantly smoking Serena. Serena gets jealous and goes off to New York with heroin-addicted Tommy, and David wants her back.

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Plot Keywords:

aspiring artist | artist | diner | bohemian | drug dealer | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive drug content and language, sexuality/nudity and a sexual assault

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bong Water

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Independent Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Tommy looks at Serena's driver's license, we see that her last name is Witt. Alicia Witt, who plays Serena, wrote her last name on it exactly like in her own signature.

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Goofs

The boom mic can be blatantly seen several times in the full screen (1.33) version.

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Quotes

Tony: We didn't tell you? We're having a party! We rented out the Adams. Yeah it has this whole 80's theme.
Robert: Yeah, so, you can just wear that really ugly shirt you always wear. And... you'll be 80's!
David: Oh I'd love to. But all my stuff burned down. In the big funny fire!

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Crazy Credits

Through the closing credits, we hear people leaving coded messages on an answering machine about buying pot.

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Connections

References The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

User Reviews

Surprise Unpolished Gem

I had very low expectations when I rented this, but I was pleasantly surprised and amused. So many of the characters in it were heightened versions of people I've known, hence I do wonder if it portrays an older generation of "stoner." It also portrays regional scenes from NYC and the NW that may not appeal to people elsewhere; others probably won't see the humor in the film. Although it's a comedy, it doesn't present side-splitting jokes with setups; the comedy is in the life the people are leading and the turmoil that follows in their wake.

The plot is haphazard if not absurd, which almost demands the ridiculous ending and opening scenes and provided me with a relief from typical formulaic stories. The plot doesn't drive the story, and you sort of just wander into each scene following the impulsive whims of the character featured in it.

I thought that the vacillating chemistry between Witt and Wilson really worked for the film; their lack of direction in life is totally reflected in their attraction, jealousy, and ambivalence towards each other, and their subsequent attempts to use each other to fill that void.

Alicia Witt's character is much richer than, say, "Two Weeks Notice," and almost as bizarre as her role in Twin Peaks. She's totally unpredictable and never does what you'd expect someone in her position to do. Cases in point: the scenes when they leave the NY party, and the scenes where we first meet her and then, unbelievably find her flirting with Wilson. Amy Locane, on the other hand, doesn't have a role that gives her much depth to work with.

Brittany Murphy and Luke Wilson have an oppositional chemistry that really let their talents play off each other. Hard to believe Jack Black is the same guy who later starred in King Kong! His is a small part in the film, but unforgettable, and the interlude with him really captures the spirit of the NW wilderness hippies I've met.