 | Dissecting |
The Tenenbaum's -- Royal (Gene Hackman) and Etheline (Anjelica 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.
But, 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.
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.
When the scoundrel Royal finds out sweet Etheline is seriously dating (Danny Glover), he wants to worm his way back into the family.
Terrific soundtrack: "Hey, Jude", Jackson Brown's "These Days," Bob Dylan's "Wigwam," Paul Simon's "Me and Julio," and several classical pieces.
A very interesting study of the dysfunctional family dynamic -- with a twist. Directed by Wes Anderson.
Rated R for some language, sexuality/nudity and drug content.
My personal rating: B
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