The Royal Tennebaums STARRING: Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Bill Murray |
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Steven Snyder |
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| “The Royal Tenenbaums” surpasses expectations. It is a delightful follow-up to “Rushmore” by Wes Anderson and should earn much esteem for both the director/writer and his astounding cast. The story is simple: Royal Tenenbaum, played by Gene Hackman, is a man who has lost touch with his children and wife. He has never been involved with his children’s lives, has been aloof for years, and now returns with a desire to recapture his family. The joy in this film about a dysfunctional, awkward family is the uniqueness of each character and the absurdity of their relationships. This story starts to touch hearts, however, when we realize their dysfunction is not all that different from our own and, through all the madness, their hearts are in the right place. Most movies have idealized version of people. “Rushmore” admits that some people are just screwed up. I very much do not want to give away even a bit of the magic of “The Royal Tenenbaums,” so it puts me in a rather large pickle. If I say anything about the characters, their characteristics, their interactions or their surprises, I will ruin the magic of the film. Some movies you can describe and the pure fun is to see the execution. Wes Anderson has an ability to create an amazingly diverse and unique world and half the joy is to see the twists and quirks that emerge without expectations. Anderson and Owen Wilson write the film and they make it a fascinating journey into a family where they hate Hackman for all the right reasons but still find a way to see past his asshole shell and see the heart that is trying to get out. Some have complained about the kindness that emerges from this dysfunctional group, but I see that as part of this film’s charm. This is not an exercise in giggling at morbid scenes. This films starts with a man trying to get past his weaknesses, and the rest of the story remains true to the premise. If the film would have remained disturbing and despicable, it would have been tiring, unfulfilling and the audience would feel manipulated. Anderson’s directing is on par with all his previous work. He has a methodical style and he uses it to give the work an eccentric feel. If he shot this film normal, we might be thrown off by the ludicrous subject matter. By making it a piece of “out-there” fun, we can look past the absurdity and laugh when, inside, we really know we shouldn’t. Just like “Rushmore,” some will hate “The Royal Tenenbaums” and some will be entranced by its uniqueness and its creativity. Accordingly, it may not get the distinction it deserves by the pop culture masses. Then again, not appeasing those individuals who can’t see the greatness in Anderson’s work may be an essential component of its success. If so, who needs an Oscar?
Comments by David Johnson I don't think there is anything I could tell you that could give away the humor in this movie. The entire movie could be sumed up by one single scene in it. The play within the play if you may. The play being put on by Royal's daughter, opens to mixed reviews, and her father...sitting front and center in the theatre, was the only person who laughed. The Royal Tennenbaums seeks to do something that va Savior horribly failed at. Present life matter-of-factly. Without any pretense or well anything. The humor is not based in the usual sketch style that today's comedies are based in. It's inside jokes. Throughout the movie, you start to learn about these depressing, pathetic, gaudy, probably more like you than you care to admit characters, and by knowing them, and through the knowledge that you've gained, combined with a unique understand (or at least a few expierences) of your life, then you can start to get the jokes. Somehow I doubt any of the jokes in this movie would be funny if they were forced to stand on their own. But that's part of what makes them so interesting. Throughout the movie I found myself being the only person laughing several times. Sure it felt kind of weird, but it also felt like I was privy to some inside joke. What can be said for critics who would say that the ending of the movie came out nowhere and was too unpredictable? I think, yes it was uncharacteristically nice for Royal. However, the ending didn't need to be meaningful, and the ending didn't need to say anything wonderful about everyone. The movie wasn't really written like that. The movie was written for everyone to enjoy from their own perspective. From my perspective the ending was somehow appropriate. Grumpy old guys makes good. The family was so real in the beginning of the movie, kind of makes you think that it could really happy. I definitely think a lot of people will just not get this movie. This movie does not employ slap-stick obvious humor. It's not Saturday Night Live. Instead you have to pay attention, you have to think throughout the movie. And whenever you get a joke, it's that much better since you feel privlidged to have gotten it. Either way, see the movie -- if nothing else, to show yourself that not all movies will hand themselves to you on a silver platter.
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