Rating of
3/4
20 Movies to watch (FINALLY) in 2025 (1/20)
Matthew Brady - wrote on 08/06/25
Chas: “I've had a rough year, Dad.”
Royal: “I know you have, Chassie.”
This is the first movie on the 20 Movies to watch (FINALLY) in the 2025 list. It stars the late, great Gene Hackman. It's a wild coincidence since I made this list before his death. Either way, I could not think of a better opportunity to watch this film and honour Gene Hackman by appreciating his work.
The Royal Tenenbaums is a cleverly written comedy-drama about a talented and creative family that is not on good speaking terms and is experiencing a creative slump. However, when their once-absent father (Hackman) returns to their lives in poor health to win back his children, this fractured family comes together under one roof.
The film has the usual quirkiness and visual flair you expect from director Wes Anderson. However, despite the vibrant colour palette and witty humour, it carries a melancholic feeling.
The best way to describe this complicated family dynamic is, metaphorically, akin to a broken family plate repaired in the Kintsugi style. Kintsugi is a Japanese art form where once-broken pottery is lacquered with gold, silver, or platinum, emphasizing its imperfections and the history it embodies, all brought back together. Although once shattered to pieces, with time, patience, love, and care, it can become whole again while embracing imperfection. That is the Tenenbaum family.
Everyone's performances are superb. Gene Hackman, Luke Wilson, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Bill Murray stood out, especially in their roles.
It is one of Wes Anderson's best movies. Character flaws and the oddball sense of humour have an outsider quality, where besides the out-of-the-ordinary circumstances in the story and whimsical tone, there is a personal and human element that has a broader appeal for the audience, not just in visuals.
Some of Wes Anderson's movies have not landed with me 100%, but The Royal Tenenbaums is one of his movies that hits a sweet spot.
