The Royal Tenenbaums is almost a decade old. Usually, films get forgotten after they are removed from the Blockbuster aisles of "New Releases". But I believe this film is worth revisiting as it characterizes the work of a film maker that has greatly influenced the film-world over the past years; introducing us to a distinct style which is unmistakably characteristic.
Everyone believes their family is crazy. It’s a fact of life. But The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) takes this to another level; presenting a charismatic dysfunctional family whose problems go beyond the expected. However absurd the story and the characters seem to be, the movie still remains grounded in real issues of love, resentment and sadness.
The Royal Tenenbaums is a highly character driven tale with a meticulously saturated back-story which makes you feel you deeply know the characters after the first fifteen minutes of the movie. Tapping into the absurd idiosyncrasies and insecurities of each peculiar person while revealing a melancholic comedy from their depressing situation. This film successfully rides the thin line between comedy and sadness; big laughs are followed by quiet moments of contemplation.
The movie follows a novel theme and is broken down into eight chapters beginning with a prologue which details the identity of the three Tenenbaum Child-prodigies; Chas, Margot and Richie. Chas (Ben Stiller), started buying real estate in his early teens and seemed to have an almost preternatural understanding of international finance. Margot (Gweneth Paltrow) was a playwright and received the Braverman Grant of $50,000 in the ninth grade. Richie (Luke Wilson) , was a junior champion tennis player and won the US Nationals three years in a row. However, virtually all memory of the brilliance of the young Tenenbaums was erased by twenty years of failure, betrayal and disaster.
Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman), the children’s father, remained an idly present father figure after he moved out of the house to the Lindhberg Palace Hotel when they were young. After his funds are abruptly cut off, Royal is kicked out of his luxurious hotel-apartment and left on the street with no where to go except back to his family. After seven years of zero contact with his children and estranged wife, Royal is well aware they will never take him back unless….he fakes his imminent death by pretending he has Stomach cancer.
From here, the story takes on family issues that revolve around forgiveness, resentment and love. The film is less about plot and more about the characters and their relationships (or lack-there-of). Although the characters remain suspended in an altered absurd reality, their relationships remain true. The story unravels in a hilarious, touching and brilliantly stylized study of melancholy and redemption.
The Cinematic choices Wes Anderson takes depart from the classical Hollywood-production. You are constantly being reminded through camera manipulation, exposition and visual exaggerations that you are watching a story that does not try to emulate reality; but rather, tries to depart from it. Successfully creating a visually appealing ethereal aesthetic that wisps you off to another world.
The movie is verbally narrated almost like a fairy tale, with the beginning of every chapter being shown as a book. In fact, the very first shot of the movie is of a book titles “The Royal Tenenbaums” being check out of a library. This element adds to the enchanted, almost mythical tone to the movie. And like a fairytale, every character is revealed to be very caricaturist; yet lovable.
Every small, tiny, seemingly insignificant detail in the movie creates this eccentric new world. Dalmatian mice, a wooden finger, a characteristic tombstone, a peculiar airplane crash; All weave together to create a special world you’ve never seen before, with characters you could never imagine, treating universal topics that concern the anyone and everyone.
The Royal Tenenbaums presents the beautiful collaboration of a truly original script, with an innovative execution. Performances are top-notch as well-known actors step into these very particular roles with comedic grace. This movie is pure delight from start credits to end credits; a halllmark for Anderson and his peculiar world view. This is a film not to miss as it has and will, resonate for years to come.
