This recommendation comes from Jessica (meetmeinmontavk.tumblr.com)
I remember seeing the beginning of this movie when I was younger. It was late at night and I could recall that everyone in the movie was sad and eccentric.
At the time, I went to bed.
Now, many years later, I've watched it again. I'm older, somewhat wiser and have a stronger grasp on the quality of film.
So even though I was reviewing it, did I once again want to enter the embrace of my mattress instead of watching this film?
Let's review!!!
Story/Dialogue: The Tenenbaums are a family of eccentric geniuses with an estranged father and a mother immersed in her work. Each of the kids Chas, Margot and Richie are experiencing post success funks. Carrying their personal hurts and quirks, they move back into their childhood home to reassess their lives. On top of this, their dad comes back into their lives with the intent of being a part of it and trying to be a real father.
What's interesting about this story is how the family is well rounded and dysfunctional they are as characters. A Bob's Burgers before there was a Bob's Burgers, if you will. Each of them has a different relationship with their father and seeing it develop over the movie is fascinating to watch.
The dialogue is poignant, yet humorous, which is often how I'd imagine most people would feel if they have Christmas with their families.
There are a lot of moments where you find yourself laughing in the same way you'd laugh at a good memory you have of a friend you're no longer friends with.
In terms of story, it's well written and I enjoy the characters in all their crazy eccentric glory. Even the Narrator, whom I'd normally dislike just because narration in a visual movie would frustrate me, actually enhanced the quality of the film, which was a nice change.
Cinematography: One of the things that most surprised me most (and as this is the second Wes Anderson film I've watched,) is the fascination with symmetry that Mr. Anderson (HAH!) has. Everything is in the centre of each third and a lot of shots include characters stood in the three separate parts of the frame.
Each image is ordered and has this odd filter that feels like you're watching a Beatles documentary from the 60's.
There are some fantastic shots, especially the tracking shots of Richie's bird, Mordecai, that appeal to me.
Audio: A lot of the tracks that feature in this film are acoustic, including a variation of the Beatles', "Hey Jude." Music in Wes Anderson films tend to be acoustic and, for want of a better phrase, "fluffy." It actually both contrasts and enhances the film as a whole, which I found surprising.
The sound department is to be commended, as its work in the audio layering is well done and feels natural. Each of the characters say their lines clearly and concisely, even when they're being quiet.
Audibly, the film was pleasant to listen to.
Overall: The film hits this spot in your chest that makes you want to cry to the point where you're not sure whether or not you find something funny or sad.
The story is cohesive and set in chapters, so it's easy to follow. Each of the characters are quirky, yet likeable and more importantly, redeemable.
Cinematically, we see the sets in bright or pastel colours that contrast with the dark woods and the frames being incredibly orderly to the point where the cameraman might have OCD (Or CDO, if you need all the letters in the right order.)
Audibly, we have tracks from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, amongst various other acoustic soundbites.
Overall, the movie is pleasant and you leave the film feeling satisfied, not as though you have closure, but as best as you probably could get.
I'm going to give this film 5 stars.
Thus ends this review!
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