This movie, however, is in no way a failure. It's silly and ridiculous, very funny, outrageous at times in its absurdity and incredibly creative. I can't fault any of that. In fact, I can do nothing but celebrate it. No, nothing slams me emotionally like in The Royal Tenenbaums, but that doesn't make this a bad movie. It makes it a different and more understated movie and I certainly appreciate Anderson taking more risks.

The main relationship in the movie--between Zissou and Ned--is a tough one to deal with. There are some nice moments there and Anderson does a great job of writing Zissou as a reticent father figure, as someone who easily proclaims to his (supposed) son that he never wanted to be a father, that he in fact hates fathers. Zissou makes some real mistakes as a parent, both in the course of this film and in the character's history, as recounted during the movie. However, the audience isn't led to hate him or feel that he is a terrible person. He's just someone who probably should never be a father. He acts poorly at times but does not do it meanspiritedly, which allows us to still care about him and wish the best for him even while recognizing his deficiencies.

The relationship between the two is mixed up nicely with the presence of Jane, who ends up creating tension between Ned and Steve. It's tough to judge how well Blanchett does in this movie. She's a great actress, without a doubt, and does a wonderful job. However, she isn't an Anderson regular and she seems less prone to the quirkiness that is featured in abundance in most of Anderson's characters. However, it seems that it is probably purposeful, as her character acts largely as a straight man for the other characters to play against.

Wes Anderson is famous for his details and they are well represented in Life Aquatic. They're seen in off-hand comments by the characters, in the opulence of the ship they travel on, despite how it looks on the outside, in the way that Zissou deals with relationships--particularly with people who disappoint him in some way or who pose an emotional threat to him. It's seen in the only female crew member being topless throughout the first half of the movie, without any explanation whatsoever. There are silly moments, like when the crew runs through a puddle and suddenly Zissou is covered with leeches--and is the only one, much to his chagrin. It makes no sense and will leave most viewers wondering what the hell Anderson was on when he wrote the movie, but if that sort of humor hits you the way it does me, you'll be laughing like mad. I live for these offbeat moments. They're one of the main reasons I so love Anderson's movies.