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The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)-Footage Included
The Royal Tenenbaums
Writer/Director:Wes Anderson
Cinematography:Robert D Yeoman
Starring:Gene Hackman, Bill Murray, Angelica Huston, Danny Glover, Gwyneth Paltrow, Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson and Ben Stiller
“Why would a reviewer make the point of saying someone's *not* a genius? Do you especially think I'm *not* a genius? You didn't even have to think about it, did you?” - Eli
Insightful, eccentric and theatrical, meet the dysfunctional family of genius misfits known as the Tenenbaums.
Quirky Writer/Director Wes Anderson (Bottle Rocket, Rushmore Steve Zissou) populates his off centre universe with an ensemble cast playing overeducated siblings who exchange witty words but fail to communicate with each other.
To a rousing instrumental version of the Beatles “Hey Jude” the film introduces us to the players.
Head of the family is estranged husband Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman), a self serving, nihilistic man who after many years has decided to return home and attempt to mend broken bridges. Imagine George Kastanza crossed with Frasier Crane.
“I've always been considered an asshole for about as long as I can remember. That's just my style. But I'd really feel blue if I didn't think you were going to forgive me.” - Royal
Matriach of the clan is Ethaline Tenenbaum (Anjelica Huston) an archaeologist who was forced to raise the gifted children once Royal was disbarred as an attorney and abandoned them.
Son Chas (Ben Stiller) was a financial wiz kid at 12 years old, now 22 years later he has suffered a tragedy and is raising his own two sons in state of paranoia.
“Four minutes, forty-eight seconds. We're all dead burned to a crisp.” - Chas
Brother Ritchie (Luke Wilson) was a tennis protégé who currently struggles with conflicting emotions and is recovering from a nervous breakdown.
Adopted daughter Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow) was a published playwright at 11 and went on to win the Pulitzer prize. Now she is a tortured artist unable to find any attachment in the real world.
“I think we're just gonna to have to be secretly in love with each other and leave it at that, Ritchie.” – Margot
Family friend from across the street Eli (Owen Wilson) is a successful novelist
“I always wanted to be a Tenenbaum.” – Eli
Like turning pages in a book, observing this once successful brood from the inside out we get the delicate story of a water shed moment in their lives told with style and humour.
“Well, everyone knows Custer died at Little Bighorn. What this book presupposes is... maybe he didn't.” - Eli
John Doe says:
Royal Tenenbaums is an Indie comedy with class, a stage pedigree and intelligence.
Right from the inventive opening and credit sequence I was sold. Like a blending of playwright Neil Simon and Director Hal Ashby, Wes Andersons films feature exaggerated characters with unorthodox traits sprouting textured dialogue, that creates a comedy realism working on an emotional level.
Beautifully shot and composed obeying a primary colour code, every frame is filled with information and minute details about the players.
A cant-put-your-finger-on-it cartoon atmosphere is achieved with conscious costuming and bright set design
The dark humoured screenplay (Co written by Owen Wilson) leaves a lot of lines open to interpretation. Sentences that seems tragic on there own, make you laugh when put in context. On the page, words that look amusing actually bring a tear to your eye. Every character is shaded in with believable flaws and strengths, no one is meant to be stagnant.
The cast jump in with both feet and none of them play it for likeability.
Gene Hackman (Nightmoves, The Conversation, French Connection) was supposedly a handful on set for the Director but it worked for the part. He seems to relish playing this amoral man and though Royal is a horrible person we learn to love him thanks to the strength of Hackman skills.
Anjelica Houston (Prizzis Honour, The Grifters, Witches) is wonderful to watch and her delivery is impeccable in timing and tone.
Bill Murray (Stripes, Ghostbusters, Caddyshack) has redefined his career in a more high brow arena. (Lost In Translation) Wes Anderson saw the potential first and cast him in Rushmore to start the ball rolling, with Tennanbaums he cemented his versatility.
The terminally dull Gwyneth Paltrow (Seven) is well suited to her melancholy part and I think it is her only role of merit.
Ben Stiller (Reality Bites) reels in the shtick and manages some subtle moments of internalized pain.
Owen Wilson (The Minus Man, Bottle Rocket) like Ben Stiller has associated himself with annoying comedy but proves here that he is capable of much more.
Alec Baldwin narrates, his voice compliments the tone and when combined with the wonderfully eclectic soundtrack acts as the necessary herbs and spices to make this amusing stew go down smooth.
Bold, rewarding and thoughtful cinema from a low budget filmmaker who’s talent attracts the best in Hollywood.
The DVD:
Transfer: Widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras: There is a 2 disc collectors edition in Australia that is worthwhile but does not feature a Directors Commentary. I recommend the Criterion version from the U.S.A for its ample features.
Click below to enjoy one of my favourite scenes from the movie where Royal decides to warp young minds into irresponseability.
DVD Cover
Cinematography:Robert D Yeoman
“Why would a reviewer make the point of saying someone's *not* a genius? Do you especially think I'm *not* a genius? You didn't even have to think about it, did you?” - Eli
Insightful, eccentric and theatrical, meet the dysfunctional family of genius misfits known as the Tenenbaums.
Quirky Writer/Director Wes Anderson (Bottle Rocket, Rushmore Steve Zissou) populates his off centre universe with an ensemble cast playing overeducated siblings who exchange witty words but fail to communicate with each other.
To a rousing instrumental version of the Beatles “Hey Jude” the film introduces us to the players.
Head of the family is estranged husband Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman), a self serving, nihilistic man who after many years has decided to return home and attempt to mend broken bridges. Imagine George Kastanza crossed with Frasier Crane.
“I've always been considered an asshole for about as long as I can remember. That's just my style. But I'd really feel blue if I didn't think you were going to forgive me.” - Royal
Matriach of the clan is Ethaline Tenenbaum (Anjelica Huston) an archaeologist who was forced to raise the gifted children once Royal was disbarred as an attorney and abandoned them.
Son Chas (Ben Stiller) was a financial wiz kid at 12 years old, now 22 years later he has suffered a tragedy and is raising his own two sons in state of paranoia.
“Four minutes, forty-eight seconds. We're all dead burned to a crisp.” - Chas
Brother Ritchie (Luke Wilson) was a tennis protégé who currently struggles with conflicting emotions and is recovering from a nervous breakdown.
Adopted daughter Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow) was a published playwright at 11 and went on to win the Pulitzer prize. Now she is a tortured artist unable to find any attachment in the real world.
“I think we're just gonna to have to be secretly in love with each other and leave it at that, Ritchie.” – Margot
Family friend from across the street Eli (Owen Wilson) is a successful novelist
“I always wanted to be a Tenenbaum.” – Eli
Like turning pages in a book, observing this once successful brood from the inside out we get the delicate story of a water shed moment in their lives told with style and humour.
“Well, everyone knows Custer died at Little Bighorn. What this book presupposes is... maybe he didn't.” - Eli
Ok, these colours are driving me nuts and who taught you two to act?
John Doe says:
Royal Tenenbaums is an Indie comedy with class, a stage pedigree and intelligence.
Right from the inventive opening and credit sequence I was sold. Like a blending of playwright Neil Simon and Director Hal Ashby, Wes Andersons films feature exaggerated characters with unorthodox traits sprouting textured dialogue, that creates a comedy realism working on an emotional level.
Beautifully shot and composed obeying a primary colour code, every frame is filled with information and minute details about the players.
A cant-put-your-finger-on-it cartoon atmosphere is achieved with conscious costuming and bright set design
The dark humoured screenplay (Co written by Owen Wilson) leaves a lot of lines open to interpretation. Sentences that seems tragic on there own, make you laugh when put in context. On the page, words that look amusing actually bring a tear to your eye. Every character is shaded in with believable flaws and strengths, no one is meant to be stagnant.
The cast jump in with both feet and none of them play it for likeability.
Gene Hackman (Nightmoves, The Conversation, French Connection) was supposedly a handful on set for the Director but it worked for the part. He seems to relish playing this amoral man and though Royal is a horrible person we learn to love him thanks to the strength of Hackman skills.
Anjelica Houston (Prizzis Honour, The Grifters, Witches) is wonderful to watch and her delivery is impeccable in timing and tone.
Bill Murray (Stripes, Ghostbusters, Caddyshack) has redefined his career in a more high brow arena. (Lost In Translation) Wes Anderson saw the potential first and cast him in Rushmore to start the ball rolling, with Tennanbaums he cemented his versatility.
The terminally dull Gwyneth Paltrow (Seven) is well suited to her melancholy part and I think it is her only role of merit.
Ben Stiller (Reality Bites) reels in the shtick and manages some subtle moments of internalized pain.
Owen Wilson (The Minus Man, Bottle Rocket) like Ben Stiller has associated himself with annoying comedy but proves here that he is capable of much more.
Alec Baldwin narrates, his voice compliments the tone and when combined with the wonderfully eclectic soundtrack acts as the necessary herbs and spices to make this amusing stew go down smooth.
Bold, rewarding and thoughtful cinema from a low budget filmmaker who’s talent attracts the best in Hollywood.
The DVD:
Transfer: Widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras: There is a 2 disc collectors edition in Australia that is worthwhile but does not feature a Directors Commentary. I recommend the Criterion version from the U.S.A for its ample features.
Click below to enjoy one of my favourite scenes from the movie where Royal decides to warp young minds into irresponseability.
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Unfortunately I have met far to many people who do not get it. Uncomfortable humour where the laughs are not telegraphed means that you have to think about what is said and what you see.
Most seem to prefer Dodgeball, frightening. Which is probably why they cancelled Arrested Development.
Do you like any other Wes Anderson films?
The upcoming adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Fantastic Mr Fox looks awesome. Stop motion animation by Henry Selick (James and the Giant peach, Nightmare before Xmas)