Of Royalty and Obscurity

THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (c) Google Images

One word to describe this movie: WEIRD.

Well, you really can't expect a Wes Anderson movie to be the other way around though. So, here comes another atypical film of Anderson that's about the journey of a dysfunctional family of child prodigies and of obscure parents.
 

Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Luke Wilson played the parts of the Tenenbaum whiz kids: Chas, Margot, and Richie respectively. While Gene Hackman as Royal Tenenbaum, the father, and Anjelica Huston portrayed mother Etheline Tenenbaum.
 

You see - despite it being a star-studded film, you might label The Royal Tenenbaums as a movie you'll probably watch just for once; but might also consider it as a stroke of genius with a touch of quirkiness and uniqueness.
 

Not only does it take brains to appreciate this movie but also an eccentric taste in film. Story-wise, the movie is more focused on good character development than building the plot. The character development demands patience from the viewers though; give it 30 minutes tops, and the movie will have you immersed in its story. It's weird but it worked!

THE CASTS. (c) Google Images

Now, let us analyze the Tenenbaums one by one.

Royal. Despite him being an accomplished lawyer, he is an insensitive patriarch (if not a bastardly father to his children). Hackman managed to put a spark of interest in his character proving to the viewers that he's a great choice for the role.
 

Etheline. An archaeologist and the devoted mother of the Tenenbaums, her top priority is her children's education. Well, you can somehow charged the brilliance of the three whiz kids to her. She's an epitome of a loving mother and a caring wife, which obviously was not fully recognized by Royal. Regardless of everything that has happened between her and Royal, she was still able to forgive him. I, for one, thought that she and Royal would be back together in the end but apparently did not because she found love with Henry Sherman (Danny Glover), her accountant. Tsk.

Chas. The eldest son and the financial genius. He has insights on deciphering pitfalls in the money system but has a mental age like that of a 10 year old. Also, he grew up not to be so genius at all (in fact all of the Tenenbaum kids did) and when his wife died in a plane crash, he became overprotective of his 2 sons that he was paranoid over their safety. I think Ben Stiller was not fit for the role but somehow he succeeded in bringing out the neurotic character of Chas even just by an inch.

Margot. An adopted daughter and a award-inning playwright. She has a troubled and indifferent spirit that's tainted with vices. She's always depressed and sulks over an unsatisfying marriage. Gwyneth Paltrow portrayed the character of Margot well.

Richie. The youngest, the tennis pro, and the Papa's boy. He's the closest to Royal because of his outgoing and loving personality. However, he's been harboring his secret love for Margot for years and becomes suicidal over such matters. He lost his career because he was devastated when she married Raleigh St. Clair (Bill Murray). Just for a little spoiler - he and Margot did paired off in the end. Yaaay!

 

Moreover, in the movie the women are deemed to be the weaker vessel and the emotional species. Take Margot in all her angsty cigarette-ed glory and melancholic blunt side, she is by all means an ideal Anderson gal. While the men are the ones who make hasty decisions that they regretted later and have inner psychopathic problems.

Certainly, there were parts of the movie that were boring and tedious to watch; but overall, The Royal Tenenbaums delivered a message that gave hope to the messy world of life, mistakes, and relationships. You'll either hate it or love it. As for me, I never knew dysfunction could be so entertaining. 7/10 :)

PS. The movie made its way to be ranked as the 159th greatest film ever made in a poll made by Empire in 2008.