The Royal Tenenbaums

Impressions before seeing it
I had already seen this movie, but only once and about 8 years ago. I remember not finding it that funny but really liking it as a drama, but that's about it so this was almost like watching it for the first time again.

How was it?
Well, I didn't find it that funny but I really liked it as a drama. Some things never change, eh?

I mean Tenenbaums does have its funny moments, but I found the humour to be very dry and subtle rather than laugh out loud and ridiculous like it sometimes is in other Wes Anderson films. I personally prefer the latter type of humour so this one didn't really appeal to me as a comedy. But that's okay.

When this movie first came out and I saw the trailers, I remember thinking "Wow, what an awesome cast!". It is indeed an all-star cast of talented actors, and that is one major draw, but even better are the characters they portray. After watching this I'm only just realizing that Anderson writes some of the most quirky, interesting, and likable characters in cinema today. I loved the opening that introduced the three Tenenbaum children by showing us all of their childhood hobbies and interests that made them who they are as adults, as well as their family life and their father's relationship with them. A good setup because the rest of the film is about Royal (the father) trying to get back into their lives and their reactions to that, as well as Richie Tenenbaum's love for his adopted sister Margot. That may even sound like a boring premise to anyone who has never seen the movie, and it could be if it were written and directed by someone else, but it's Anderson's unique characters and directing style that make it fascinating. I watched The Royal Tenenbaums a few days ago and the more I think back on it, the more I seem to like it in hindsight, but that being said it may still be my least favourite Wes Anderson film, which is not an insult at all because I love all five of them (Life Aquatic being my favourite seeing as how it is one of the greatest movies ever made in my personal opinion).

Recommendation
I understand it may not be for everyone, and I have heard some people on the internet refer to it as "pretentious crap" and other things to that effect, but anyone who enjoys Wes Anderson's style should make a point to see all of his movies.