The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Strong and Moving!

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

There are many directors that become famous for trademarks or gimmicks inserted into their films. Whether it be Hitchcock appearing in his own films or M. Night Shyamalan (attempting to) having a plot twist ending, some work and some are cheap.What we have with Wes Anderson is an off-beat tone that has drawn people to either love or hate him. Before I talk about the tone and mood of his films, what is further key is his visual style. Never before have I seen such attentiveness and perfectionism put into symmetry and bursting colors. You'll have a dinner table with equal amount of characters with one lamp on either side of the room and a bright red wall. The camera is then placed (movement is used more for pans-- and even with these the pans are symmetrical) specifically to draw the audience to the center of the screen while noticing that on either side will be similarities. The messages may be more subtle in what they represent, but the popping sets are exquisitely memorable and truly some eye-candy.I think that when some people will watch an Anderson movie, there could be an uneasiness or tenseness by not knowing if what you should do is laugh or walk out of the room before it's too late. And there are the dissenters that are perhaps expecting more traditionalist filming. If you don't know what you're getting into with one of these films, then I would recommend being a little hesitant. It's not for everybody.With that said, The Royal Tenenbaums begins with one of the best montages I have ever seen. It's Wes Anderson being himself while setting up the characters that truly need an introduction because they belong in this mad wonderland. You have Gene Hackman, the Wilson brothers, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, and of course Bill Murray. I'm not even sure where I would begin to describe these characters that are associated in one way or the other with the Tenenbaum family-- but as a start, Hackman is the father that has mainly neglected his family and attempts to have everyone reconnect and have more bonding time in a once blooming family.The middle of the film may be bogged down slightly with less exciting scenes, but from Anderson and Owen Wilson's writing, these otherwise mundanely watchable scenes are elevated by the captivating, dysfunctional characters (Gwyneth Paltrow's deadbeat Margot Tenenbaum may be my favorite) that provide unconventional unpredictability. I'm not even sure if unconventional unpredictability is a term that even makes sense, but all the more does it describe Wes Anderson.If you're still not sure what type of film this is, imagine a more modern setting with characters that don't belong but are trying to make it all work; the familial conflict is there, but boy did I have some laughs while watching it unfold. I have also seen Rushmore and Moonrise Kingdom, but The Royal Tenenbaums is both better as a film and as a starting point to understand whether you should watch more of these films. I was won over and enjoyed the movie thoroughly, but I still caution that the style may be off-putting for some.You can find this review and dozens of others at gillipediamoviereviews.blogspot.com

I've heard about this film and finally got a chance to get it on DVD. It's an interesting story and well acted,, but I simply can't get past the weird direction. It's like it was shot in the 60's or something. Zooming in?? What is this? Amateur hour? Seriously,, zooming in died out in the early 70's when they realized how ridiculous it looks. Also the narration was horrible. Like a documentary from the 60's. Really bad. Also the ridiculous printed titles - telling you what you were looking for and it was done in BIG BLOCK letters like the 60's. Not sure if this is intentional but I don't think it worked at all. This movie reminded me a lot of Stanly Kubrik's "Barry Lydon'.. too much like it. The cheesy narration, just drove me nuts.

Anyone who doesn't love this movie after watching it at least twice - there are a ton of shitty Adam Sandler movies waiting for you. Besides the amazing cast - this is another superb Wes Anderson creation. From beginning to end, this movie simply delivers on all levels. Those who appreciate a score that is solid throughout you will love this flick. This is one of those movies that when it's on, you simply throw the remote.

I first saw "The Royal Tenenbaums" when it came out in the theater. It has some very funny parts, and I laughed at those. After a while though, I noticed that very few other people were laughing. I've seen the film twice since then, and while I know some of the funny scenes to watch for, with each viewing it has seemed less funny. Which leads me to conclude that the comedy of this movie is good the first time around, but it's not something that can continue to tickle one's funny bone. Or, it may be dated – funny in a culture around the turn of the 21st century, but not so much so a few years alter. After that first time, I wondered about the diverse reactions. Maybe some viewers didn't get the comedy. Some probably did, but it wasn't funny enough to make them laugh. But, there likely were others for whom some of the film got too close to home, too close for comfort. For them it wasn't funny at all. In my second and third viewings of the film, I became more aware of that. There surely are people who have had some of these experiences in their families. To them, it may not funny to watch something like they've experienced on film. Some people still may suffer or have bad memories. An adopted child whose father would embarrass her by always noting the she wasn't his "real" daughter. A self-centered, selfish father (or mother) who seldom paid attention to a son or daughter. An absent parent for much of one's life. Drug use in the family, other dysfunctional relationships. That gets to the point that the humor in this film is not the type that everyone can laugh about. It can be crass or hurtful to some. People who have grown up in highly dysfunctional families may smart at some things in this movie. The movie is about a terribly dysfunctional family. So, those who haven't seen this movie yet and may be considering it – be forewarned. For others though, there are some very funny scenes and a few instances of hilarious dialog. The cast all are quite good. Gene Hackman does a great job as the manipulative, selfish lout, Royal Tenenbaum. Anjelica Huston was exemplary as the almost dour separated Etheline Tenenbaum. The rest of the cast of mostly dysfunctional geniuses are all very good. People who are prone to despair or depression should not watch this movie. But adults with a keen sense for wit and far out humor should enjoy this movie – but probably only one time around.