Rating: Summary: A SUBDUED GENIUS Review: Any reviewer upon this page who finds this movie confronting the ideas of suicide, family, death, addiction, denial, and obsession for "younger viewers" should be instantly dismissed. Furthermore, any reviewer who claims that this movie doesn't have depth should also be dismissed on the grounds that no, this movie isn't a classic Hollywood film with a little moral at the end that punches you in the face. This work doesn't pander to the masses. The poignancy expounded is an incredibly subdued genius that takes actual reflection and thought to uncover. As for the comedic elements of the story, well, I suppose that relies on taste. It's not slapstick, or dumb humor, or shock humor. It's dark, often absurd, and most of the time underplayed. However, if you like that kind of comedy (my friends and I laughed through the entire two hours) then this film is hilarious. Gene Hackman's performance is amazing, as is the performance of all of the other characters. The directing was unbelievable with long, beautiful shots, as well as quick cuts and snappy camera movement. The movie flowed all the way through, set up tension right at the beginning, allowed the audience to watch the problems get flushed out as the story progressed, and they did not conclude until the end. By that simple standard this movie cannot be considered boring at any point. Also, you can't look at this movie as a plot driven piece. It's a film about the characters in which there is great depth of plot. The characters are all so eccentric and such individuals it's hard to not just sit there and admire them for the entire film. Anyway, if you haven't gathered my opinion of the film yet from this review, I would definitely consider this movie for the best film of the year and a must see for anyone whose willing to depart from Hollywood dramas, give a movie some thought, and embrace the Tenenbaums.
Rating: Summary: ZZZZZ A Real Snoooor... Review: My first time ever falling a sleep in a movie theater. Good acting but, my god nothing there to keep you interested in the movie. I wouldn't even watch this movie on TV.
Rating: Summary: Save your Money Review: I went to see this film as a favor to a friend. She now owes me. Big time. I'm not a big fan of the director's work, but I went with a reasonably open mind. Nothing subtle about this film. The laughs are generally cheap and lowest common demonator -- but at least there isn't a lot of potty humor. Strangely, everyone did a fairly good acting job. But there simply wasn't much to work with. Bottom line is that if you like Rushmore and other films of that type, you are likely to love Royal. But this film will never be more than a cult hit within a limited crowd.
Rating: Summary: was gashing my eyes out with my fingers..... Review: This film is an verifiable dud. Period. Maybe it's me, but I always have trouble relating to 'oh so depressed' wealthy characters who do 'kooky' things (like Richie Tenenbaum's sailing around on a cruise ship, depsondent after having a breakdown at a tennis tournament... or Margot Tenenbaum's cigarette smoking that nobody knows about, not even her husband-- I don't get this at all. If my girlfriend smoked, I'd figure it out pretty quickly). I suppose it wouldn't be utterly boring if these quirks were supported by actual DEVELOPMENT OF CHARACTER!!! No one says anything towards deveolping themselves as real human beings and narrative gaps are filled in by omnicient narrator Alec Baldwin. Think about that for a minute. If I were to tell you, gentle reader, that I'm going to take you to a film where a Baldwin narrates each 'chapter' of the film for you so that you'll know why everyone is so dour, anxious and devoid of personality WOULDN'T YOU RUN SCREAMING? I would have. But, then again, I didn't know it was a Baldwin until afterwards. Knowing this has signed, sealed and delivered my total distaste for this film. Now there are other hideous cinematic crimes committed here. First and foremost is the misuse of Bill Murray. Ingeniously written and played in 'Rushmore', but here he's made a cuckold (in, and by, the film). This is also a film where, except for Hackman (and Glover/Huston during their more tender moments), no one smiles. No one shows even the slightest inclination to move one inch towards the other end of the emotional spectrum. Yeah, everyone's depressed. I get it. But even the depressed crack a smile now and again, don't they? Can't someone in this film be human? Jeez... I saw 'A Beautiful Mind' and it's protagonist has a lot to be despondent about but he delivers some COMIC RELIEF every now and then. Why not in this film which purports, in part, to be comedy? Wes, Owen... they've got some great new pharmaceuticals for whatever condition it is that your condition is in. Try popping a few of them before making your next 'dramedy', ok? OK. What else was bad? Oh, Anjelica Huston was a wasted talent here... Stiller over-acted and was too angry (but why? Oh yes. Alec told me why at the beginning of that 'chapter')... Paltrow unimpressive as usual... really hokey ending which I laughed at after the film was over (including an awkward nod to 'The Graduate' when Owen Wilson comes barelling down the street in a white convertible sports car to interrupt a Tenenbaum wedding)... some inappropriate drama which goes nowhere (Richie's attempted suicide)... and misuse of 'quirky' soundtrack featuring The Clash, Bob Dylan or Nick Drake or whoever (Anderson uses such music as a cheap device for getting out of a scene that's falling apart) What was good? Hackman. He's good in everything. Also the scene where Richie throws the tennis match. I laughed hard at that scene. Don't dismiss Wes Anderson entirely. 'Rushmore' was a great film and gets five stars from me. 'Tenenbaums'? Pass.
Rating: Summary: How could anyone find this funny Review: The Royal Tennenbaums is simply the MOST boring movie that I ever saw. I usually have a very good sense of humor but this movie was simply not funny. I never looked at the reviews before I saw this movie and am completely shocked that it got such good ratings. I caught my friend counting the tiles on the ceiling mid-movie! ....
Rating: Summary: A movie with nowhere to go Review: This film has two excellent performances by Gene Hackman and Anjelica Houston. Danny Glover is also good in a not-very-demanding role. But mostly this picture is a waste of good talent. The director/writer could not make up his mind whether he was making a soap opera, a true drama, or a spoof. Nor could he decide what to do with the plot. I went with my grown son, and we decided half way through that this movie was going nowhere. Our main pleasure thereafter was spotting the locations in New York, the beloved city where we live.
Rating: Summary: Best Picture of 2001 Review: Every film I've seen this year has been horrible. So many films revolved around teen sex and pody humour. And then comes the Royal Tennenbaums, which is in my mind, a modern day masterpeice. Every scene is crafted in a way that you just can't look away or blink. I've been looking forward to this film for a about 4 months, ever since I checked out the preview on the inernet. I wanted to see it so bad because Wes Anderson is one of my favorite directors of all time and Rushmore is my 2nd favorite film. Alot of the audience was laughing at the suttle wit and comedy the camera had. I felt they just didn't get understand it. I figured many of them were there just to see the cast. That's not to say the cast is bad. Almost every one of the actors/actresses gives an amazing performance. I've never see Ben Stiller this serious before. Gene Hackman deserves an oscar for this, as does Gwen Paltrow. On some parts of the film I couldn't stop lauhing. And on some parts I was dead silent. The film takes so many different twists turns, kinda like a rollercoaster. And to the end the review I will say this: Wes Anderson deserves an oscar. First they pass him by for Bottle Rocket. Then they say there gonna nominate Rushmore for best film, once again they pass it by. I really hope the Royal Tennenbaums snags atleast one.
Rating: Summary: Outstanding Review: This movie represents "everyfamilyUSA" in some way shape or form. It exaggerates the issues faced by grown children in a less than perfect family environment, in a way that, although "dark", anyone can relate to. I could watch it 10 times and still find something new. This is one to own!
Rating: Summary: Few Laughs in a Long 2 Hours Review: I always enjoy Gene Hackman, but this film was really boring. I didn't think it was funny, though plenty of people in the theatre were laughing at stuff I found simply silly. By the end of the film, many of the folks busting a side in the first 1/2 hour were asleep. And just so you don't think I'm one-in-a-hundred, my girlfriend has a completely different funny bone than me, and she wasn't laughing either. You'll get more laughs watching "Meet The Parents" again.
Rating: Summary: one for the ages Review: i have seen both previous wes anderson/owen wilson movies and loved them. rushmore was my all time favorite movie ever. i went to see the royal tenenbaums two days ago with my mother and my brother. i loved it it has been one of the best movies ive seen all year. i went again the next day to see it again with my friend richie. i had to share the feeling i got after seeing it. it had the same whit and charm as the two previous movies but it also had a sad, sort of depressing feel to it that really lets you sink into the movie. the soundtrack is a masterpiece and recommended for anyone who liked the movie. i hope this influences you to go se it. im 16 years old.
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