I must say, this is an incredibly strange
idea to make a movie about, not that Wes
Anderson's previous movies were "normal". It
wasn't so much the script itself that was odd,
but the feel the whole movie gave off. It had
such outlandish ideas, yet some people really do
try some of the things presented in
The Royal
Tenenbaums, for example: living in a
hotel. This films individuality could've been
taken as a complete bomb, but the moments it has
when you don't know if you're supposed to laugh,
cry, or take the material seriously are so
clever; they balance with the limited appeal of
the out-there originality of the whole thing.
So now you're wondering, what originality;
I don't know what the heck your talking about?
Well, the story starts out with a short
prologue, showing a family that isn't exactly on
ball with things. One kid is fourteen and making
business deals with people on the other half of
the world, one is practicing tennis in hopes of
being famous someday, and the other is relaxing
in a bathtub, while using her illegally
purchased drugs. The parents don't care, they've
lost touched with their kids! Then the movie
takes a turn and jumps forward twenty some-odd
years. The father of the family calls everyone
up for a reunion in hopes of getting in touch
with his long lost children. What he gets is one
wacky time!
The Royal
Tenenbaums is full of hilarious,
sorrow, and clever moments. The contrastive
characters coming together creates one hell of a
ride, the story is unique, and if you aren't
going to see the movie, read the script, you
will love it!
I particularly liked the way Wes Anderson
cut all of the material. He divided the movie
into chapters rather than scenes, so it gives
off a feel like you're not just watching the
story unfold, but reading it. After every change
of pace, a new chapter sign flips on the screen,
and the beginning of the scene about to be
presented is described in words underneath, just
like a novel. This effect made me feel positive
in unknown ways, even at desperately sorrow
moments. The staging, camera, and lights were
pitch perfect - I admired the direction above
all things in this movie.
If you are purchasing this on DVD, you are
in for a great buy. The two disc set features
commentary by Wes Anderson, both of the
theatrical trailers, Dolby Digital audio,
exclusive videos, behind the scenes footage,
interviews with Gene Hackman, Gweneth Paltrow,
Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Danny Glover, Bill
Murray, and Anjelica Huston, and much much more.
It's definitely worth buying, and if you're too
cheap for that, absolutely worth rental fare.
Even if you have already seen the movie in
theatres, check into the DVD, it has a lot more
than the theatrically released version. It was
even Roger Ebert's "DVD Pick of the Week" on his
television show, "Ebert and Roeper and the
Movies".
The wacky, clever, and off-the-wall moments
in this movie make my day. The most interesting
thing is that it actually worked. For the first
ten minutes of the film you'll be saying to
yourself "How did this get such critical
acclimation," but as the movie unfolds you will
understand why its so great. I recommend it
anyone on the face of the earth over ten (so
what if its "R" rated).
The Royal
Tenenbaums is an interesting trip
full of fun twists along the way.
-Danny, Bucket Reviews