Here’s what I said in the comment discussion at Film Freaks Film Club. The commenting began on the 15th but with this cat business and not having a lick of free time, I only had the opportunity to add my $.02 tonight. The questions were from I think Jen (I’m new to this crowd so I’m still learning who’s who), who chose the movie.
“I don’t think you’re an asshole, Royal. I just think you’re kind of a son of a bitch.”
1. Like all dark comedies, this film depends on finding the humor in taboo/Not Funny subjects. When did you think they nailed it, and when did you just cringe?
I didn’t find any of the film cringeworthy. I think I took some parts more seriously than humorously (like the incest angle). I felt that the film treated the characters and subject with respect and maybe a winking irreverence. I think what they used in the story wouldn’t have worked outside the dark comedy trappings b/c I think it allowed us a little distance.
2. This is pretty slow-moving for a comedy. If you were editing it, would you have paced it differently? What would you have cut or held a bit longer?
I actually find TRT to be a pretty quick movie. I sit down to watch it and it seems to be over before I know it. I didn’t have any problems with the pacing and I liked the length of shots. It allowed me to concentrate on the rich visuals.
3. The conceit of the story being read from a book: distracting or crucial? How important is Alec Baldwin’s narrator to the funny? Is this still pretty much the same movie without him?
I love the narrator. When I saw it in the theater, I remember being particularly attracted to the idea of the book. I see it as a part of the insular world in which the story unfolds. For me it provides a dichotomy of fantasy story (“once upon a time…”) and realism (as if to say “here’s the real, true published story”). Which is it? Which should we believe it to be? Does it matter?
4. How much of the comedy here is delivery versus writing? How crucial is this particular cast? If you read this as a script instead of seeing it performed, is it still funny?
For me, I think it’s excellent writing paired with great casting. I don’t find that TRT has a lot of quotable lines though, for as funny as it is so that makes me think that it’s delivery. Frankly it’s the only time I’ve enjoyed a Gwyneth Paltrow performance. The writing is excellent in terms of structure, storyline, plot arc and character development. In terms of individual scenes, it’s harder to say that the appeal lies in the writing. When I watch the film, I never think “There’s Bill. There’s Gene. There’s Angelica.” I am completely swept up in their characters. I think this insular world that I mentioned before contributes to that power.
5. There are several shots in this movie of Royal alone off to one side, with someone else walking in or out of the shot. What’s the point of this and is it effective?
Well it shows us that he’s apart from his family. In the rooftop scene w/ Richie, he is closer than usual but then again he’s closer to Richie than to the other family members. I never really noticed it before so if its purpose was to create a subconscious distance, it worked for me.
6. According to the grave stones in the cemetery, the story takes place in 2000-2001. What do the retro costumes and sets add? How do they reflect the story?
I don’t think they’re “retro” so much as “timeless.” I love the fonts on the books, at the hotel, on the hospital sign, on the taxis and the buses. They’re older fonts that evoke a certain time period but we see them in a contemporary setting. I think it’s part of the fantasy element. I think it’s meant to displace our conception of time. When the story is set isn’t as important as how time has been used and is being used by the characters we see. Maybe it’s supposed to show us that time moves faster than we realize.
7. What do the particular songs chosen for the soundtrack add?
This is my favorite Wes Anderson soundtrack. There’s a wistful quality to the instrumental music especially, a sense of things slipping away. I’m also naturally prejudiced b/c it uses “Stephanie Says” (my name IRL) and The Ramones.
8. For Wes Anderson fans: how does this stack up with his other movies?
I’ve not seen Bottle Rocket but I liked TRT better than Rushmore. TRT is one of my favorite films. My husband preferred Rushmore but he admits that the soundtrack pushes it past TRT for him.
Royal O’Reilly Tenenbaum (1932-2001) Died Tragically Rescuing His Family From The Remains Of A Destroyed Sinking Battleship
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