Watch The Royal Tenenbaums

The Royal Tenenbaums, a 2001 comedy-drama film directed by Wes Anderson, stars Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Huston among other notable actors. The film follows the eccentric lives of the Tenenbaum family, a dysfunctional family of child prodigies. The patriarch of the family, Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman), has been estranged from his children and ex-wife Etheline Tenenbaum (Anjelica Huston) for years. When he finds out that Etheline is planning on marrying her longtime accountant, Henry Sherman (Danny Glover), Royal decides to fake an illness in order to win his family back.

As Royal moves back into his family's sprawling New York City brownstone, the Tenenbaum children also begin to resurface in their own ways. Chas Tenenbaum (Ben Stiller) is trying to raise his twin boys after the death of his wife in a tragic accident, while Margot Tenenbaum (Gwyneth Paltrow) is struggling with her own secret love affair. Richie Tenenbaum (Luke Wilson) is a former tennis prodigy who has spiraled into depression after a heartbreak, and has returned home after spending years travelling.

As the Tenenbaums slowly come to terms with each other’s issues, Royal’s true intentions come to light, and the family is forced to confront the truth about their father.

The Royal Tenenbaums is typical of Wes Anderson’s work, featuring his signature quirky humor and visual style. The film is set in a fantastical yet recognizable version of New York City, where every detail is meticulously crafted and vibrant. The film also features a distinctive soundtrack that includes a range of songs from various genres and eras, giving the film a timeless feel.

The performances in the film are all excellent, with Gene Hackman perfectly capturing the arrogant yet lovable Royal Tenenbaum. Gwyneth Paltrow also delivers a standout performance as the complicated and enigmatic Margot. Anjelica Huston, who has worked with Anderson on multiple films, is superb as always, portraying the resentment and disappointment that come with being a member of the Tenenbaum family.

Overall, The Royal Tenenbaums is a poignant and hilarious film that explores the complexities of family dynamics. With its richly detailed world and unforgettable characters, the film is not only one of Wes Anderson’s best, but also one of the best films of the early 2000s.

The Royal Tenenbaums is a 2002 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 76.