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In
a "Hey Jude" accompanied opening spiel narrated by Alec
Baldwin, we learn that Gene Hackman is the Royal, selfish, tactless
patriarch of a family of geniuses. There's financial wiz Chas (Stiller),
tennis star Richie (Luke Wilson), and adopted playwright daughter
Margot (Paltrow). Royal is eventually kicked out by his wife Etheline
(Huston), essentially abandoning his family.
As
the movie starts, several years later, Royal is making a desperate
attempt at a family reunion. Something not made easy by his increasingly
dysfunctional offspring and no-nonsense spouse, who, despite harbouring
deep-seated dislike or distrust for their old man, have found their
lives' successes and failures intrinsically connected to him - regardless
of his absence.
For
anyone who has seen co-writer/director Anderson's last film "Rushmore",
you'll know that he peppers his movies with quirky personalities
and visual gags, and "The Royal Tenenbaums" more than
lives up to that tradition.
Each
of the leading characters has a vivid past and hilarious foibles,
brilliantly executed by all - especially Hackman, who won a Golden
Globe for his role. The landscape meanwhile - a kind of otherworldly
New York - is a richly-textured tapestry.
Funny,
touching, intelligent, strange... well, let's just stop before we
run out of superlatives. Suffice to say that it's unlikely you'll
see a better or more unique movie this year.
"The
Royal Tenenbaums" opens in UK cinemas on Friday 15th March
2002.
Reviewed
by Ben
Falk , BBC Films
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