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LEARNING INTENTIONS
LEARNING INTENTIONS
To analyse the representation of families in a film.
To analyse the representation of families in a film.
Background and Introduction to The Royal Tenenbaums
Background and Introduction to The Royal Tenenbaums
The Royal Tenenbaums is Wes Anderson’s third film, which he co-wrote with Owen Wilson.
Of his works, which include Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, Moonrise Kingdom, and The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Royal Tenenbaums is considered by many critics to be his masterpiece for its range in human drama, its engaging story, and the number of complex characters.
The film follows the lives of three whiz kids, raised by their mother, who grew up only to face disappointment and failure for the rest of their adult lives. Now twenty-two years later, Royal, the patriarch of the Tenenbaums, seeks to reunite and make the most of his time with his children and grandchildren.
This family drama revolves around a father who wants to reconnect with his grown children and former wife.
The Royal Tenenbaums is a film about family relationships including divorce.
It is one of Wes Anderson's finest films featuring twisted, kinky, cheated on and needy people. A neurotic family with plenty of dysfunction to make us feel better about our own lives.
Watch the film and complete the Viewing Guide
Watch the film and complete the Viewing Guide
Discussion
Discussion
FAMILY
FAMILY
"I think the family is the place where the most ridiculous and the least respectable things in the world go on," Ugu Betti writes in The Inquiry.
"I think the family is the place where the most ridiculous and the least respectable things in the world go on," Ugu Betti writes in The Inquiry.
What are the most ridiculous and the least respectable things about the Tenenbaum family?
Who is your favourite character?
Who is your least favourite character?
PARENTHOOD
PARENTHOOD
"Parenthood," Alvin Toffler writes in Future Shock, "remains the greatest single preserve of the amateur."
"Parenthood," Alvin Toffler writes in Future Shock, "remains the greatest single preserve of the amateur."
What are some of the things Royal's children hold against him?
Do you see any of Royal's character qualities in his children? Which qualities are in which children?
What are the qualities that go into making a good parent?
PLAY
PLAY
"Play is as essential to the aged as it is to the young. I count that day lost when I am not moved to tears or laughter, but even more if I have not played," George Sheehan writes in Going the Distance.
"Play is as essential to the aged as it is to the young. I count that day lost when I am not moved to tears or laughter, but even more if I have not played," George Sheehan writes in Going the Distance.
What is your response to the way Chas treats his two sons?
What is the best scene in the movie involving Royal and the two young boys?
FORGIVENESS
FORGIVENESS
Best-selling author Gerald Jampolsky has noted: "The unforgiving mind sees itself as innocent and others as guilty. It thrives on conflict and on being right, and it sees inner peace as its enemy. It perceives everything as separate."
Best-selling author Gerald Jampolsky has noted: "The unforgiving mind sees itself as innocent and others as guilty. It thrives on conflict and on being right, and it sees inner peace as its enemy. It perceives everything as separate."
What insights does this film give into the roadblocks to forgiveness in the family context?
LOVE
LOVE
The artist Vincent Van Gogh once stated: "I tell you, the more I think the more I feel that there is nothing more artistic than to love people."
The artist Vincent Van Gogh once stated: "I tell you, the more I think the more I feel that there is nothing more artistic than to love people."
What artistic ways does Royal use to express his love for his family?
What were your reactions to the end of the film?
Analysis
Analysis
The Royal Tenenbaums is a film about family relationships including divorce. Why would I choose to highlight this film? Simple. It's a great example of taking situations related to divorce and making them funny...and...if the Tenenbaums can get through their outrageous problems so can we. What can we learn from the Tenenbaums? Families are crazy and it's always good to know other people have worse problems than our own, even if they're fictional.
The family has seen better times and not undue to the fact that Royal Tenenbaum left them high and dry years ago. He is back though and wreaking even more havoc on this already dysfunctional family.
In the center of it all is Etheline Tenenbaum, the mother played beautifully by Angelica Huston. She is reluctantly holding it all together when family members return home for her support including Royal, her estranged husband. He returns under a ruse of illness and that's only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Royal Tenenbaum.
The film tells a story of tragedy and comedy in equal measure using minimal words.
For example, the deadpan dialogue between Margot (Royal and Ethelene's adopted daughter) and her much older husband, Raleigh who hopes to convince her to return to their marital home...
Raleigh: "How long do you intend to stay here?"
Margot: "I don't know."
Raleigh: "Are you ever coming home?"
Margot: "Maybe not."
Raleigh: "You're joking."
Margot: "No."
Raleigh: "Well, I want to die."
In a scene later in the film, Raleigh confronts Margot about her numerous affairs. Again, the terse and minimal dialogue creates irony and humor in its simplicity. If only our real life conversations could be as succinct and emotionless...
Here's a look at Etheline and Royal's relationship. Many years after she asked him for a divorce and he still hasn't signed the papers...refusing to accept the finality of his divorce.
The film comes to a close with this dialogue between Royal and Etheline...
Royal: "I love you Ethel."
Etheline: "Are we divorced?"
Royal: "Yes, we just have to file the papers. Now I know what you see in him. He's everything I'm not. "
----"I wish you both the best."
The film is wacky, kinky, kooky and makes us realize we need not take our problems too seriously. Finding humour in our difficulties eases the pain and no one does that better than Wes Anderson.
"The most powerful ties are the ones to the people who gave us birth,” Anthony Brandt has written. "It hardly seems to matter how many years have passed, how many tragedies there may have been, how much misery in the family; we remain connected, even against our wills." These connections, even though they may be frayed, are at the heart and soul of this comedy directed by Wes Anderson and co-written with Owen Wilson. Watching these wacky characters and their bumbling attempts to move beyond regret and anger into forgiveness and love is a worthwhile experience.
FAMILY ISN'T A WORD . . . IT'S A SENTENCE
FAMILY ISN'T A WORD . . . IT'S A SENTENCE
What does this mean and how does it relate to the film?
TASK 2
TASK 2
Write a PEEL paragraph on the way the film. The Royal Tenenbaums explores the theme of family.
Write a PEEL paragraph on the way the film. The Royal Tenenbaums explores the theme of family.
script the royal tenenbaums.pdfVisual Analysis
Visual Analysis
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