The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) Prologue Owen Wilson, Gene Hackman, Danny Glover

The Royal Tenenbaums is a 2001 American comedy-drama film directed by Wes Anderson and co-written with Owen Wilson. The film stars Gene Hackman and Anjelica Huston, with Danny Glover, Bill Murray, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, and Owen Wilson. It follows the lives of three gifted siblings who experience great success in youth, and even greater disappointment and failure after their eccentric father leaves them in their adolescent years. An ironic and absurdist sense of humor pervades the film. Hackman won a Golden Globe for his performance. The screenplay was nominated for an Academy Award. Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) -- A shamelessly insensitive lawyer and a failure as a father. He intentionally shot his son Chas with a BB gun, and consistently and irrelevantly feels he must point out that Margot is his "adopted daughter." He often took only Richie to dogfights while excluding Chas and Margot. Anderson had Hackman in mind for Royal but the actor was reluctant to take the part, saying he prefers to disappear into a role, instead of having a role fitted for him. Gene Wilder was offered the role as well, but turned it down because of his retirement. Etheline Tenenbaum (Anjelica Huston) -- A noted archaeologist and author, and the mother of the Tenenbaum children, who "makes their education her top priority." Later on, Ethel finds love with Henry Sherman, her accountant, the complete opposite of her estranged husband Royal. Chas Tenenbaum (Ben Stiller) -- A ...

View Count: 60 Date: January 15, 2012