In anticipation of Wes Anderson’s 10th film, The French Dispatch, due in theaters a month from now, I recently rewatched the writer-director’s entire filmography in chronological order. Over the next two weeks I’ll write a bit about each of those films and finish up with my ranked list.

Anderson’s debut, 1996’s Bottle Rocket, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. This low-budget crime comedy boasts few of the trademarks commonly associated with his films (symmetry; dollhouse art direction; liberal use of tilts, pans, and zooms) while introducing others (close-up insert shots, 60s pop music, Owen Wilson).

The film stars and is co-written by Wilson, Anderson’s college friend, and feels like the most accomplished student film you’ve ever seen. It sets the tone — deadpan hilarious and sweetly sad — for everything to come.

Wilson is particularly effective here as the screw-up Dignan, who hopes to escape his sad existence through a life of crime. He enlists his friend Anthony (played by real-life brother Luke) and together they go on the lam after robbing a local bookstore.

Anthony falls in love with a motel maid, Dignan plans another heist with the help of small-time crime boss Mr. Henry (James Caan), and the film amiably culminates with a low-stakes action sequence that determines everyone’s fate.

Bottle Rocket is a funny and bittersweet introduction to a unique cinematic voice. It is filled with small treasures but barely hints at the bounty to come.