A cursory glance at the cast and synopsis of the Royal Tenebaums would initially suggest that the film would be a broad comedy in the vein of Meet The Parents. Gene Hackman plays the neglectful father of three faded child prodigies (a playwright, a tennis champion and an entrepreneur) who decides that it is time to make amends. Before long the whole group is back in the family home and at each others throats.
The Royal Tenenbaums seems determined to keep you slightly on edge throughout. This is partly achieved by it being impossible to work out when the film is set (the style of everything says that it is the seventies, but up to date computers and the like can be glimpsed). The film also throws in comic left turns whenever it seems it is getting too serious and vice versa.
More than anything TRT amazes with the lesser members of the cast proving their worth in spectacular fashion. Gwyneth Paltrow proves the incredible fact that there is room for acting ability in her nano-technologically produced broom handle frame. Wearing black eye make up that Dusty Springfield would have killed for she looks all the world like the victim of a particularly vicious fairy tale and her blank glare says more about her characters internal emotional pain than any script ever could.
The film may be more funny peculiar than funny ha-ha but it still remains far more refreshing and enjoyable than either a Farelly brothers film could ever be and may yet saddle Wes Anderson with the title of the Coen brothers serious sibling.