What a monumental disappointment! It's unfortunate that The Royal Tenenbaums is such a waste of time and talent. The story was pointless, trivial, and odd. What was the deal with the matching Addidas outfits anyway? In fact, the funniest thing in the film was to learn at the end that the narrator was Alec Baldwin. Now that was truly hysterical! However, the film was not. Just looking at the talent in this film makes me almost angry that I spent two hours watching these fine actors waste my time and theirs in a cinematic yawner such as this. All could have been solved if just one person had called for a psychiatrist. This entire group needs therapy. Where are some good neighbors when you need them? Couldn't anyone intervene and suggest the obvious? Therapy. Medication. Anything to get these oddballs back on their feet. Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson (Luke's brother and co-writer of this time-waster), Danny Glover, and Bill Murray. Each has made films ten times better than this. Who can forget Bill Murray in such truly great films as Groundhog Day, What About Bob?, Quick Change, Tootsie, Stripes, or even the Man Who Knew Too Little? Or Danny Glover in the Lethal Weapon series or the (better) Silverado. Gene Hackman was terrific in the French Connection, The Heist, The Package, The Firm, Bat 21, Hoosiers, and even Narrow Margin and Behind Enemy Lines, which also starred Owen Wilson, who was great in Shanghai Noon, Zoolander, Meet the Parents and Behind Enemy Lines. Owen's brother, Luke Wilson did a great job in Legally Blonde. Okay, so he needs better roles, but I'm sure they'll come in time. Now Ben Stiller was outstanding in Keeping the Faith, Zoolander, Meet the Parents, as well as Reality Bites. And Angelica Huston and Gwyneth Paltrow ... two terrific actresses whom I'm sure have done great work. I just can't recall seeing any films they were in that I liked. Nonetheless, this only proves my point. There are better films out there. My advice... see virtually anything else these fine actors and actresses have done, resist the hype of this film, ignore the critics, and save your money for better cinematic experiences. This film earns a mediocre 5/10.
Review of The Royal Tenenbaums
