"The Royal Tenenbaums" Rated R
*****/*****
The Royal Tenenbaums is one of the best movies you'll see all year. The beautiful screenplay by director Wes Anderson and one of the stars, Owen Wilson gives their phenominal actors, fantastic diaoluge, and real situations that are truely touching.
Bill Murrey, Gwyenth Paltrow, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Danny Glover, Angelica Houston, Gene Hackman, and Ben Stiller are all terrific. Hackman plays Royal Tenenaum, the father of three estranged chilren, and husband to one estranged wife. The odd thing about this family is that they are all geniuses to a certain degree. As the narrator, Alec Baldwin, tells us, Chaz (Ben Stiller), started a business during his adolesent years, Margot (Gwyenth Paltrow), was an award winning playwrite, and Richie (Luke Wilson), was a star tennis player. All three children hated their father, and all three prematurley failed at their gift. Chaz collasped after his wife died, Margot never wrote more than two plays after she married an older man (Billy Murrary), and Richie suffered an inexplicable breakdown during a match.
After years apart, Royal come back to gather his family for last atempt at gaining their love before he dies. All of the family members are hesitant (except Richie) of Royal's attempt, and all of his sleazy attempts at gaining their love. One laugh-filled-yet-amazingly-tender film ensues.
The screenplay, acting, and direction are all first rate. I highly recommened this picture to any fan of film.
