Writer/Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Bill Murray
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Owen Wilson. Following his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Wilson has made several great movies. Whether it is fantastical writers, armageddon survivors or hotel owners, Wilson has portrayed countless characters. Arguably, Wilson’s strength as an actor has always been his powerful screen presence. Even when he is not the main focus of a movie, Wilson has had a talent for stealing a show in supporting roles with limited screen time. An actor with a strong presence, Wilson has made many strong films earned a huge audience. Through his ability to play characters which are compelling, Wilson has built a legacy that’s lasting. Although he is most well known for his comical roles, Wilson has proven he can make engaging movies in practically every genre. Throughout his career, Wilson has made many memorable films that are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Wilson and adore all the films that he has made in his career. However, “The Royal Tenenbaums” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2001, Wes Anderson’s film offered a captivating portrait of a dysfunctional family. Packed with breathtaking production, gripping storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about dysfunctional families. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Owen Wilson, who portrays a member of a dysfunctional family experiencing tensions. Ultimately, what makes “The Royal Tenenbaums” a captivating classic is universal appeal. Unlike most Wes Anderson movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone relates to. A captivating masterpiece about a family that is broken, there are many strong reasons why “The Royal Tenenbaums” is a commemorated movie worth watching.
“The Royal Tenenbaums” tells the story of a broken family facing tension. Gene Hackman plays Royal Tenenbaum, an elderly father of a dysfunctional family that faces tension. Royal has often excelled at taking care of his broken family facing uncertainty. Assisted by a family friend Eli Cash (Owen Wilson), Royal has often excelled at taking care for his family. However, Royal’s life drastically changes when he makes a mistake affecting his children’s future. Faced with a dilemma, Royal begins to question if it’s possible to care for a family facing trauma. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, it’s common for Royal to wonder whether it’s truly possible to care for his family’s future. Finding that parenting is challenging, Royal soon finds himself questioning if his commemorated goals in life are truly worth pursuing.
Wes Anderson is fascinated with the stories of dysfunctional families. A fantastic filmmaker, Anderson has often made engaging movies about families that face disaster. His award-winning movie “Rushmore” offered a powerful portrait of students in families facing disaster. With “The Royal Tenenbaums”, however, Wes Anderson created his first period piece. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture tense challenges endured by families experiencing tragedy, but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Anderson captures a family embarking on a journey to discover its identity. Anderson effectively uses montages capturing the tensions that broken families are enduring. For instance, the montages elevate the family introduction scene. During this unforgettable scene, the Tenenbaum family is introduced to the audience through montages. Using strong montages, Anderson constructs a portrait of a broken family that’s compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” claimed, montages elevate commemorated movies about Paris. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using breathtaking visuals, Anderson captures tensions which a doomed commemorated American family is facing.
Another commendable aspect of “The Royal Tenenbaums” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Anderson has always excelled at using production design in his films, and “The Royal Tenenbaums” proved his strengths as a filmmaker. Throughout the movie, set-design of the Tenenbaums’ house plays a crucial role in showcasing tensions the family is facing. For instance, the set-design of the house elevates the death disclosure scene. During this unforgettable scene, Royal reveals his grim diagnosis of illness towards his three estranged children causing tension. Through gorgeous production, Anderson captures the lives of families facing tension. Moreover, the musical score is superb. Mark Mothersbaugh’s music is key to success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that dysfunctional families often bear. Using phenomenal set design, Anderson captures families that decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Royal Tenenbaums” is a film about a broken family that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses voice-over narration to demonstrate dysfunctional families facing tension. For instance, voice-over narration elevates the childhood scene. During this unforgettable scene, the narrator introduces audiences toward the Tenenbaum family’s origins facing a troubled childhood. Using strong voice-over narration, Anderson creates a strong portrait of a dysfunctional family which audiences can easily relate to. Voice-over narration is a tricky technique to use in movies. As John Lasseter’s “Cars” did suggest clearly, narration enhances animated movies about fats racing cars. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Inherent Vice” suggested voice-over narration enhances movies about L.A. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Anderson caprices the lives of broken families enduring a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Owen Wilson delivers one of his finest career performances as Eli Cash. Wilson first earned appreciation for portraying comical wedding crashers in great comedies. With “The Royal Tenenbaums”, however, he took upon his most dramatic role. It isn’t easy to portray a member of a dysfunctional family facing tragedy but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, funny and emotional in his most moving role. Wilson has always excelled playing emotional heroes under pressure, and “The Royal Tenenbaums” showcased his strength as an actor. With bold expressions, he captures the angst, dedication and trauma of a famous writer facing familial tensions. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most commemorated actors that’s working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Owen Wilson, the supporting cast is also outstanding and worthy of recognition. Gene Hackman is fantastic, capturing the tension of a dying father that seeks to reconnect with his long lost children. Ben Stiller is stellar, bringing authority toward a son that harbours emotions of resentment against his absent father. Lastly, Gwyneth Paltrow deserves appreciation. As a conflicted woman, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The Royal Tenenbaums” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of broken families facing tension. Unlike most Wes Anderson movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film discusses relatable themes including identity, family and childhood trauma which resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Wes Anderson’s style to appreciate it. The movie delivers a meaningful message about family trauma which would definitely resonate amongst everyone. Consequently, “The Royal Tenenbaums” is one of those rare commemorated films which everyone would adore.
Fans of Owen Wilson will appreciate “The Royal Tenenbaums” and so will audiences seeking touching entertainment. A riveting classic about dysfunctional families, it honours an actor that has built a legacy that’s lasting.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a dysfunctional family that is broken beyond repair, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with a strong commitment to his craft that has built an impressive career through his abilities to portray larger-than-life heroes in rare movies about which audiences care.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 