Many people are familiar with Hillsboro and it’s various establishments, but what many people don’t know is that in the mid 1990’s, a movie was filmed there. Every director has to start somewhere, and for Wes Anderson it was Bottle Rocket. Though Anderson’s signature style isn’t on full display here, the film still has his heart and witty comedic moments present in his later films. The film started as a 13 minute black and white short, which attracted the attention of filmmaker James L. Brooks (director of As Good As It Gets and Broadcast News). He agreed to finance a feature length version of the film, which Wes Anderson would direct. The film came out two years later in February 1996. 

Bottle Rocket stars Owen and Luke Wilson as Dignan and Anthony, two best friends trying to make a name for themselves in the world of small-time crime. With the help of their friend Bob (played by Robert Musgrave), they commit a slew of petty crimes in hopes of attracting the attention of Dignan’s former boss Mr. Henry (played by James Caan).

The film features many locations from the DFW area, but several places in Hillsboro, TX can be spotted as well. For example, the Hillsboro Days Inn located behind a McDonalds. Many scenes were filmed in and around the hotel, including a pivotal scene where Anthony meets Inez (played by Lumi Cavazos). Another location is the alley across the street from what is now an R&K Cafe. Other locations include Farm to Market Road 309, and Texas State Highway 22. Over the past 27 years however, these locations have changed drastically, so finding exact spots may prove to be a difficult task. 

Bottle Rocket is rated R, and has been nominated for and won various independent film awards over the years. Prolific filmmaker Martin Scorsese even named the film as one of his favorites of the 1990’s.  I would give Bottle Rocket a 9/10, and would highly recommend it to fans of Wes Anderson or films in general.