COLUMN: ‘The Tenenbaums’ are poignant and strangly dysfunctional
It’s difficult to make a film so unique that it doesn’t get painted over by the movies that follow. The majority of today’s films are tailored to fit neatly into the action, drama and comedy categories used in video stores. Once you’ve seen them, you’ll likely never see them again. After all, you only have to wait a month to see the same story repeated with a different title.
The Royal Tenenbaums is classified as a sophisticated comedy – perhaps in an effort to buck the video store classification system. The story certainly finds its charm in its familiarity, but the characters are unlike anything you’ve ever seen, the sets are impossible to date and the music stays just to the left of being mainstream.
The story centers loosely around the character of Royal, played by Gene Hackman. Royal is a scoundrel, and his role as father and husband is cut short when he decides to abruptly leave. It’s probably for the best as we learn that he has a history of, well, seriously disappointing the ones he loves. His children, Chas, Margot and Richie all bear the scars of his complete lack of child rearing skills and for years they never see or speak to him.
The Genius of The Royal Tenenbaums is in its ability to walk that line. Some viewers might find it a little over seasoned, especially those uncomfortable with some of the more in-your-face scenes. Still, the story is undeniably good and surprisingly believable despite its odd array of characters.
I left the theater feeling strangly satisfied at having seen a film that was both completely foreign and strangely familiar.