January 11, 2021
'The Royal Tenenbaums'
The Ringer's Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald know that Custer died at Little Bighorn. What this podcast presupposes is ... maybe he didn't. We dive into Wes Anderson's 2001 hit 'The Royal Tenenbaums,' starring Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, and Owen Wilson.
Cast
Gene Hackman as Royal Tenenbaum
Anjelica Huston as Etheline Tenenbaum
Gwyneth Paltrow as Margot Tenenbaum
Ben Stiller as Chas Tenenbaum
Luke Wilson as Richie Tenenbaum
Owen Wilson as Eli Cash
Danny Glover as Henry Sherman
Bill Murray as Raleigh St. Clair
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Written by: Owen Wilson
Notes
- Wes Anderson was approximately 31 years old when he made this – his third feature after Bottle Rocket and Rushmore.
- Gene Hackman won a Golden Globe. The film was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 2002 Oscars.
- Gene Wilder was considered for Royal Tenenbaum. Michael Caine was second choice – Hackman only took the part when he heard Caine was being offered it.
- Danny Glover, Luke Wilson, and Owen Wilson all turned down parts in Ocean's 11 to appear in this movie.
- Gene Hackman was combative on set; Bill Murray had to confront him about his behavior.
- Anderson sent Eric Chase Anderson's (Wes's brother) family portrait sketches to Hackman to woo him; Hackman apparently threw them away.
- The house at 111 Archer Ave was a real foreclosed property in Harlem they rented before the new owner could renovate it.
- Gwyneth Paltrow was only available for about three weeks, Ben Stiller for about 10 days – the line producer's scheduling was heroic.
- The tennis meltdown announcers are voiced by Wes Anderson and Andrew Wilson.
- Vampire Weekend cited Wes Anderson movies as their main influences in a 2008 Spin cover story.
Categories
Roger Ebert's review
Quote from Rog's review:
“There are so many good things in The Royal Tenenbaums that it seems like complaining to say I wanted more.”
Most re-watchable scene
- The pre-credit character introductions scored by Hey Jude.
- Margot meets Richie at the pier / the Nico 'These Days' needle drop.
- Royal and his grandkids down by the schoolyard montage.
- Needle in the Hay / Richie's attempted suicide.
- Margot background file montage with the Ramones.
What aged the best?
- The soundtrack (Chris Ryan).
- The Wilson brothers' performances.
- Henry and Etheline's relationship.
- The decision to invest in Wes Anderson – Touchstone Pictures trusting him (Andy Greenwald).
What aged the worst?
- Margot and Richie's romantic relationship (the incest undertones).
- The Charlie Rose figure groping.
- Royal's casual racism toward Henry.
- The slapstick collision of plotlines at the wedding ending.
Casting what-ifs
- Gene Wilder was considered for Royal Tenenbaum.
- Michael Caine was second choice – Hackman only took the part when he heard Caine was being offered it.
- Danny Glover, Luke Wilson, and Owen Wilson all turned down Ocean's 11 to do this.
Over-acting award
- Ben Stiller as Chas Tenenbaum – pitched at a different frequency than everyone else.
- Gwyneth Paltrow as Margot – maximum minimalist, doing a lot by doing very little.
Best "that guy"
- Kumar Pallana as Pagoda (winner).
- Bill Murray as Raleigh St. Clair.
- Seymour Cassel as Dusty.
- Larry Pine as Peter Bradley (Charlie Rose figure).
Apex Mountain
- The Wilson Brothers (Owen and Luke) – renamed 'Mount Wilson' for this episode.
- Owen Wilson's 2001: Zoolander, Royal Tenenbaums, and Behind Enemy Lines.
- Gwyneth Paltrow – this is her apex as an actress (Andy Greenwald).
Half-assed (internet) research
- 111 Archer Ave is a real place in Harlem, off 144th Street.
- Key influences: Louis Malle, Truffaut, Godard, and especially Orson Welles' The Magnificent Ambersons.
- Gene Hackman was combative on set; Bill Murray had to confront him.
- Margot's cigarette brand is a discontinued Irish brand from the late '70s or '80s.
- Eric Chase Anderson (Wes's brother) drew the sketches and artwork in the film.
- Gene Hackman is a Jacksonville Jaguars fan because of his friendship with coach Jack Del Rio.
Re-casting couch
- Robert Downey Jr. as Royal Tenenbaum (Andy Greenwald).
- John Goodman as Royal Tenenbaum (Chris Ryan).
Picking nits
- Chas's tracksuits are never explained.
- Richie saying 'I'm going to kill myself tomorrow' is odd/unexplained.
- The ending feels more slapstick than emotionally satisfying.
(Probably) unanswerable questions
How do the Tenenbaums fund their lifestyle?
Who won the movie?
- Gene Hackman (Chris Ryan).
- Luke Wilson (Andy Greenwald).