The story of the slightly off-kilter and zany Tenenbaums never fails to bring a smile on my face. Not only is this film very visually satisfying and beautiful but, it is genuine and uplifting, too. Anjelica Huston is radiant (as usual) and Owen Wilson's strange wannabe Tenenbaum character truly kept me on my toes. While this review may sound a little on the a** kissing side, I do genuinely feel that this movie is more than just an Anderson-loving hipster's bonanza. It is movie that tells a unique story and remains one of my favorites of all time. There is a reason it is on the 1001 Movies to See Before You Die list!!!

I first saw "The Royal Tenenbaums" when it came out in the theater. It has some very funny parts, and I laughed at those. After a while though, I noticed that very few other people were laughing. I've seen the film twice since then, and while I know some of the funny scenes to watch for, with each viewing it has seemed less funny. Which leads me to conclude that the comedy of this movie is good the first time around, but it's not something that can continue to tickle one's funny bone. Or, it may be dated – funny in a culture around the turn of the 21st century, but not so much so a few years alter. After that first time, I wondered about the diverse reactions. Maybe some viewers didn't get the comedy. Some probably did, but it wasn't funny enough to make them laugh. But, there likely were others for whom some of the film got too close to home, too close for comfort. For them it wasn't funny at all. In my second and third viewings of the film, I became more aware of that. There surely are people who have had some of these experiences in their families. To them, it may not funny to watch something like they've experienced on film. Some people still may suffer or have bad memories. An adopted child whose father would embarrass her by always noting the she wasn't his "real" daughter. A self-centered, selfish father (or mother) who seldom paid attention to a son or daughter. An absent parent for much of one's life. Drug use in the family, other dysfunctional relationships. That gets to the point that the humor in this film is not the type that everyone can laugh about. It can be crass or hurtful to some. People who have grown up in highly dysfunctional families may smart at some things in this movie. The movie is about a terribly dysfunctional family. So, those who haven't seen this movie yet and may be considering it – be forewarned. For others though, there are some very funny scenes and a few instances of hilarious dialog. The cast all are quite good. Gene Hackman does a great job as the manipulative, selfish lout, Royal Tenenbaum. Anjelica Huston was exemplary as the almost dour separated Etheline Tenenbaum. The rest of the cast of mostly dysfunctional geniuses are all very good. People who are prone to despair or depression should not watch this movie. But adults with a keen sense for wit and far out humor should enjoy this movie – but probably only one time around.

Is it even possible for me to not like a Wes Anderson movie? He makes me feel like Rashid Khan in Hindustani classical music: that there's still hope for Hollywood! 'The Royal Tenenbaums' is worth watching just for its visuals (which Anderson isn't?). But Wes is not a Bhansali - he doesn't just make eye candies. In fact, even his visual treat is in a different league altogether. Blended with the narrative, it gives the feel of reading a rich novel and imagining it visually myself. There's a lot of creative imagination behind it. As a writer-director Anderson's movies are humanistic-existential. Relations are dealt with adroitly and you get more than a glimpse into the recesses of his character's minds. The Royal Tenenbaums has plenty of family drama, but if you go looking just for that, you'd be underwhelmed. See it for the presentation, and you'd be satisfied, if not delighted. Anderson weaves the bright and the dark just like real life does. Wes's films may never break the box offices, but his style will be loved and studied by connoisseurs for decades to come. 'The Royal Tenenbaums' is where he broke through into the commercial mainstream, but has continued to maintain his own creative stream despite that. And that's why I can never rate him below 9/10.H

Wes Anderson's idiosyncratic films create very individual reactions. I've had more than a few good-natured arguments about which are his best films. So the opinions below should be taken with that grain of salt.For me, while this is not quite as brilliant and original as Anderson's classic 'Rushmore', it's a terrific movie, full of wonderful performances, great cinematic flourishes, Anderson's trademark terrific use of songs as score, and lots of very funny and occasionally deeply touching moments. He continues to create deeply dysfunctional, wildly screwed characters you still care for. What 'Rushmore' did for adolescence, this does for family, wealth, and the confusing weirdness of young adulthood.It just didn't stay with me quite the same way 'Rushmore' did, and some of the Anderson techniques that were shockingly new and refreshing the first time, feel more familiar here. But this his is one of the very brightest, most original voices on the US film scene of his generation -- a film-maker who creates oddball worlds and characters that somehow you can still always relate to. This is a film well worth seeing out, and seeing more than once.