The Royal Tenenbaums, 2002, directed by Wes Anderson, written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson.
Wes Anderson has developed a certain unique way of doing things over his time. By many he is loved for it, and many hated. In this review by David Edelstein, he shows a more loving response to Anderson's style and the movie The Royal Tenenbaums.
I remember recently I viewed one of his previous films, Rushmore, and the opening sequence of playful music, cheap-looking titles, and just stupid stuff happening put me in a laid back, kind of happy mood. I think this is a great way for a director to get the audience closer to the characters. (Like Max Fischer in Rusmore)
In the film the Royal Tenenbaums, Wes Anderson really shows that style as it has developed. This is certain way about his movies is prevelant right from the get go. In an eriely simular opening sequence to the one found in Rushmore. Troughout the opening act you get a chance to embrace what is Wes Anderson's style with a narroration by Alec Baldwin, and introduction to "out there" characters, and a great intramental from everyone's favorite british band playing "Hey Jude".
Royal Tenenbaums Opening
This Royal Tenenbaums is movie about a family of geniuses. Headed by Mr. Royal Tenenbaum himslelf. He has 3 children. The first and favorite child is Richie Tenenbaum who is played by Luke Wilson. Richie has always been Royal's clear favorite. He also is a star tennis player at a young age. The second child is Chas Tenenbaum played by Ben Stiller. Chas has sucessfully breeded dalmation mice and has made enough money off of them to get into the real estate business where he has been a major success. He also accomplished these things at a young age. And last.. and but not first or second is Margo. Margo was adopted an Royal always mentions it. This gives margot zero self esteem and she has trouble succeeding like the others. Although she does end up getting a large grant for a piece of writing she wrote.
The plot of the story is that Gene Hackman (Royal Tenenbaum) splits ways with the wife and family, even though they never get a divorce. The children then grow up and run into their own problems after having such sucessful and problem-free childhoods. All of them seem to route everything back to their father even though he was gone for much of their lives. Hackman's character ends up faking he is sick to force his way back into the family. He tries to pry away his wife Ethiline from her new man Henry, although the whole family seems so distant and awkward around him. He gets frustrated that Henry is welcomed more than himself.
In this film Wes Anderson shows off his unique style with witty comedy intertwined with many "out there" characters and more than one central plot. These characteristics of his flow perfectly with the family that is the Tenenbaums. I really enjoyed this film and am starting to really appreciate this director's style. I am also starting to respect great directors as a whole, because I can see now how people believe in the theory that a great director will not make a bad movie. Two thumbs up for the Tenenbaums and two more for Wes.
