Dissecting Dysfunction -- With Humor

Royal (Gene Hackman) and Etheline (Angelica Huston) are a long-separated couple who never divorced. Their three children were proteges in their childhood years -- a financial wizard, a playwright and a tennis pro.

However, as the narrator (Alec Baldwin) says: "All memory of the brilliance of the young Tenenbaums has been erased by two decades of betrayal, failure, and disaster."

The oldest son, Chas (Ben Stiller), becomes neurotic. The daughter, Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), becomes psychotic. And the youngest son, Richie (Luke Wilson), isolates himself.

The three grew up next door to Eli Cash (Owen Wilson, who also co-wrote the script), a full-of-himself author who gets terrible reviews. He weaves throughout the story.

When the scoundrel Royal finds out sweet Etheline is seriously dating (Danny Glover), he wants to worm his way back into the family.

Though the thought of these three lost souls sounds like it will be a sad film, it is, in fact, quite full of humor, albeit bizarre at times and with its own unique poignancy.

And I loved the music: "Hey, Jude", Jackson Brown's "These Days," Bob Dylan's "Wigwam," Paul Simon's "Me and Julio," and several classic pieces.

A very interesting study of the dysfunctional family dynamic -- with a twist.

One of My Favorites

Another wild, unpredictable film. Anderson’s characters are some of the best I’ve seen in any film. They’re a perfect blend of quirky and human. Funny and touching… just like the film itself. One of the most rewatchable movies for me, I’ve seen it six times and it never fails to lose it’s amusing, poingnant feelings. A marvel to look at, too, with the brilliant set design and carefully framed images which transport you into fantastic other world without alienating the film it’s emotional impact. It doesn’t seem like we’re watching real life, but we feel the emotions of real life. This could be do to the wonderful performances, with Anjelica Huston and Gene Hackman leading a stunning cast. All of the actors creat their characters fully, and act beautifully off each other. The film is like a symphony, of the most joyous, tragic kind.

Royally Awesome!

Royal Tenenbaums has a great set of actors, and an awesome director who has yet to let me down. After he used the same cast for The Life Aquatic I knew, "this dude is pimp," to put it lightly. Anyone who enjoys random bits of beautifully done sets, and whitty converstation among characters, will like if not LOVE this. It may very well be one of my top ten movies to watch at ANY time. There is not right or wrong mood for this movie. It has something for everyone, at all times.

This is the greatest movie of all time.

Wes Anderson displays his finest work balancing humor, drama, tragedy, and quirky characterization in this family story. My Wes Anderson collection was far from complete without this movie, but now it is the highlight of my whole collection. Viewers should be ready for a different kind of movie, with subtle humor, awkward interactions, colorful characters and descriptive music. When I am asked my favorite movie of all time I answer with The Royal Tenenbaums.

Royal tenenbaums-criterion collection

It one of the best movies, it should be apart of every collection. It was bought for me as a gift. It's a tale of a quirky family played by an all star cast.The criterion collection 2 dvd set is really impressive as come complete with Chas' drawing of the entire houses' layout. This funny yet serious movies is good for everyone. Hope you all check it out.