auge_28
12-03-2007, 02:15 PM
Let me say here that any quotes from this film are paraphrased by me . . . I cannot remember them line for line.
I am sure that The Royal Tenenbaums is a film that has been more than covered at this web-sight, however . . .
I watched this film a couple years back and remembered being impressed but did not care to re-watch it as I have several DvDs yet watched.
My wife often watches films that she knows she enjoys, to her they are like a warm blanket . . . comfortable and familiar.
So she nagged me into putting Royal Tenenbaums into the player . . . after a few minutes of pouting I remembered Eberts "active watcher" advice and decided that since I have already watched the film focusing on the main characters that I would watch it this time with some of the lesser characters in mind: Chas Tenenbaum, Henry Sherman, Raleigh St. Clair and Pagoda. Let me be clear . . . by calling them lesser characters I mean only that they share less of the story and camera time as the main characters.
Each of the four I listed did a surprisingly wonderful job and they should each have a thread dedicated to them at some point on this sight, but right now I want to talk about Chas Tenenbaum.
I will maintain that Ben Stiller is a funny and likable actor, but a bit narrow and non-versatile . . . so his role in The Royal Tenenbaums came as a huge surprise. I found Chas Tenenbaum to be incredibly deep, pathos laden, heart breaking and depressing . . . The films most emotionally powerful lines come from Chas and are delivered in one or two lines.
A few scenes stand out:
1. Chas and his boys move back into the house and are preparing to sleep, Chas gets the boys in bed and walks out of the room then walks right back in and lays down on the floor . . . I believe he does this because he not only is paranoid but also intensely lonely . . . and his son recognizes this and joins Chas on the floor.
2. Royal says that he bought the fire house dog for Chas's sons but actually he bought it for Chas. I think this because it is a Dalmatian like the mice Chas invented and sold. This is Royals way of bridging the gap and providing so much nonverbal apologizing . . . Chas's tearful last line in this scene "I've had a rough year, dad" to which Royal replied "I know you have, Chassie" hit me hard.
3. This scene is I think the most emotional and "real" scenes of the film . . . Before the wedding Henry is getting ready and we are introduced to his son. Chas learns that Henry was married before but is now a widow. Chas then says something like "I am a widow too" Henry places his hand on Chas's shoulder and says "I know you are"
By themselves the lines are not much, but when you re-watch this film please keep an eye on how Ben Stiller delivers these lines . . . both the writing and delivery are carved down to the bone to great effect.
I am sure that The Royal Tenenbaums is a film that has been more than covered at this web-sight, however . . .
I watched this film a couple years back and remembered being impressed but did not care to re-watch it as I have several DvDs yet watched.
My wife often watches films that she knows she enjoys, to her they are like a warm blanket . . . comfortable and familiar.
So she nagged me into putting Royal Tenenbaums into the player . . . after a few minutes of pouting I remembered Eberts "active watcher" advice and decided that since I have already watched the film focusing on the main characters that I would watch it this time with some of the lesser characters in mind: Chas Tenenbaum, Henry Sherman, Raleigh St. Clair and Pagoda. Let me be clear . . . by calling them lesser characters I mean only that they share less of the story and camera time as the main characters.
Each of the four I listed did a surprisingly wonderful job and they should each have a thread dedicated to them at some point on this sight, but right now I want to talk about Chas Tenenbaum.
I will maintain that Ben Stiller is a funny and likable actor, but a bit narrow and non-versatile . . . so his role in The Royal Tenenbaums came as a huge surprise. I found Chas Tenenbaum to be incredibly deep, pathos laden, heart breaking and depressing . . . The films most emotionally powerful lines come from Chas and are delivered in one or two lines.
A few scenes stand out:
1. Chas and his boys move back into the house and are preparing to sleep, Chas gets the boys in bed and walks out of the room then walks right back in and lays down on the floor . . . I believe he does this because he not only is paranoid but also intensely lonely . . . and his son recognizes this and joins Chas on the floor.
2. Royal says that he bought the fire house dog for Chas's sons but actually he bought it for Chas. I think this because it is a Dalmatian like the mice Chas invented and sold. This is Royals way of bridging the gap and providing so much nonverbal apologizing . . . Chas's tearful last line in this scene "I've had a rough year, dad" to which Royal replied "I know you have, Chassie" hit me hard.
3. This scene is I think the most emotional and "real" scenes of the film . . . Before the wedding Henry is getting ready and we are introduced to his son. Chas learns that Henry was married before but is now a widow. Chas then says something like "I am a widow too" Henry places his hand on Chas's shoulder and says "I know you are"
By themselves the lines are not much, but when you re-watch this film please keep an eye on how Ben Stiller delivers these lines . . . both the writing and delivery are carved down to the bone to great effect.