On the podcast this time, Stabby Steven and Sean are moving back home and dealing with some serious family issues in the 2001 film from Wes Anderson, The Royal Tenenbaums.
I can’t even begin to imagine what the Thanksgiving dinners at the Tenenbaums must have been like. The holidays are a stressful time for a normal family, much less one that’s probably pictured next to the dictionary definition of “dysfunction.” Imagine what that must have been like: sullen children wishing they could be anywhere else, a mother weighed down by her husband’s behavior, and a father who’s critiquing how dry the turkey is even as he insists on cutting and serving it himself.
That’s not a holiday of which I would want to be a part. And yet, Owen Wilson’s character, Eli Cash, wanted nothing more than to be a Tenenbaum. Different strokes, I guess.
When you’re brought up and heralded by the media as a child geniuses—nay, part of a trio of family geniuses—then there’s bound to be something a little off with you. Speaking of which, dear listener of this podcast, if you were a child genius or savant of some sort, please write in and tell us about your life. We’d love to hear your tale.
We imagine it’s probably similar to what the Tenenbaum children—Richie, Chas, and the adopted daughter, Margot—had to endure. Talk about pressure! It’s no wonder that all three of them cracked in their own ways. Frankly, I’d be surprised if any of them turned out to be “normal.” Now that would be worth some serious attention.
None of this is helped by their asshole of a father, Royal. Ugh, that guy. It’s a damn shame that it took some serious family tragedy for him to snap out of himself and appreciate what he has. He probably could have saved his marriage if he had done that sooner.
All of this nonsense makes for a captivating, fun, and endlessly watchable film. It’s something that keeps rewarding you. Your first viewing will be a unique and enviable experience. Your tenth viewing will be just as enjoyable. Maybe some of the surprises will be gone, but there’s enough depth here to draw you in as few films can.
(Recorded on July 19, 2021)
Links to Stuff We Mentioned:
The Royal Tenenbaums trailer - YouTube
