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The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

Trailer
2:32 | Trailer
With a plan to exact revenge on a mythical shark that killed his partner, Oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) rallies a crew that includes his estranged wife, a journalist, and a man who may or may not be his son.

Director:

Wes Anderson
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Popularity
2,451 ( 201)
3 wins & 10 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bill Murray ... Steve Zissou
Owen Wilson ... Ned Plimpton
Cate Blanchett ... Jane Winslett-Richardson
Anjelica Huston ... Eleanor Zissou
Willem Dafoe ... Klaus Daimler
Jeff Goldblum ... Alistair Hennessey
Michael Gambon ... Oseary Drakoulias
Noah Taylor ... Vladimir Wolodarsky
Bud Cort ... Bill Ubell
Seu Jorge ... Pelé dos Santos
Robyn Cohen ... Anne-Marie Sakowitz
Waris Ahluwalia ... Vikram Ray
Niels Koizumi Niels Koizumi ... Bobby Ogata
Pawel Wdowczak Pawel Wdowczak ... Renzo Pietro
Matthew Gray Gubler ... Intern #1
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Storyline

When his partner is killed by the mysterious and possibly nonexistent Jaguar Shark, Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) and his Team Zissou crew set off for an expedition to hunt down the creature. Along with his estranged wife, a beautiful journalist and a co-pilot who could possibly be Zissou's son, the crew set off for one wild expedition. Written by FilmFanUK

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

The deeper you go, the weirder life gets


Certificate:

14A | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

One fish, dubbed "The Hydronicus Inverticus", was left on the cutting-room floor because it was deemed too ridiculous. It is a fish that can turn itself inside-out. See more »

Goofs

When Ned is shining his shoes in his cabin and Steve comes to speak with him, the clock goes backwards between shots from 9:50 to 9:40. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
[in Italian]
Festival Director: Ladies and gentlemen, we are very pleased to welcome you to the world premiere of Part 1 of the newest film from a great favorite of ours here at Loquasto, Mr. Steve Zissou. A brief Q & A will immediately follow the screening. Thank you.
See more »

Crazy Credits

During the end credits the filmmakers acknowledge that the real Steve Zissou is a prominent attorney in New York City specializing in complex federal litigation. See more »

Connections

Spoofs What About Bob? (1991) See more »

Soundtracks

Five Years
Written by David Bowie
Performed by Seu Jorge
See more »

User Reviews

 
A real treat!
13 December 2004 | by syferSee all my reviews

Although one person I was with at the pre-screen hated it, I absolutely loved it. I think it will just be one of those kinds of films (but hey, I also loved "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" which this reminded me of). Pure crazy fantastical stuff and I was completely taken with it.

It's a visually beautiful film with loads of odd little CG touches and subtle visual gags. The cutaway tour of the ship was a classic. Murray gives an amazing, energetic, yet deadpan performance and I also liked the richness of the smaller roles like "Klaus." The soundtrack was quirky and wonderful with unexpectedly hilarious Bowie covers and pounding, rocking tracks in the action scenes.

I think the gorgeous locations, sets and props nearly steal the show--kind of reminded me of "Brazil" in that way and I think it is destined to become a cult film in the same way "Brazil" has.

I can't wait to take some friends of mine and see what they think once it opens--this is one of those movies that's so different and off the wall that it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Although I realize it's getting mixed reviews, I'll stick my neck out and call it a masterpiece.

Being old enough to have grown up with Jacques Cousteau, I felt Anderson really captured the look and feel he was after with the the "movie within the movie" sequences and the yellow typographical stuff was spot-on.

If, like me, you're bored with the usual metroplex fare, this odd, unexpected movie is for you. What a blast! Wheeeeee!


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Details

Country:

USA

Release Date:

25 December 2004 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$113,085, 12 December 2004

Gross USA:

$24,020,403

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$34,808,403
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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