The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Jul 16, 2025 7:00PM

Browning Cinema

Summer Film School
Directed by Wes Anderson
With Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Luke Wilson
Rated R, 109 minutes, DCP

As Wes Anderson’s third feature, The Royal Tenenbaums heralded to the world that he was doubling down on the just-so design from Rushmore. His signature symmetrical shots, color palettes, blunt affects, and quirky sets have endured for nine films after The Royal Tenenbaums as well. Here, Royal and Etheline Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman and Anjelica Huston) are separated parents to three child prodigies (Luke Wilson, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow) of different persuasions. After a decade or two of betrayal, disappointment, secrets, and disasters, the luster is largely gone from the family photo album with the blame largely laid at the feet of Royal, deservingly so. After years without speaking, the family reunites and begins integrating the dizzying highs and crushing lows of their fascinating lives.

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