A Tenenbaum Christmas

I watched a Wes Anderson classic and possibly his debut, if my memory and research serves, and that is The Royal Tenembaums. I think I spelt that correctly. 

First thing, the title is amusing because the father of the fam’s name is Royal, but they are also kinda like royalty because of the kids’ prowess in an array of fields. But you probably knew that since the movie is like 20 years old at the time of this ranting. 

Gotta look up if this is a Christmas movie to give more credence to my next point. While I do that, look at Gwyn's eyes.

Gwyneth Paltrow in The Royal Tenenbaums

Ah, yes, my suspicions were correct. It was originally theatrically released on December 28, 2001. Now, on the surface, there’s nothing Christmasy about it, but I noticed that the Peanuts’ classic Christmas special music was playing in the background a few times during the flick. I dunno the name, but its that kinda sad-sounding and dragged out one. Goes a bit like, “waaa-waaa-waaa-wa-waaaaaaaaaaaa” repeatedly, through a choir of kids. Those aren’t the lyrics, just the sound conveyed, and I don’t want to bastardize the lyrics; I think “time of year" is somewhere in there. Anyway, the reason why I think that song was inserted was to show that this is a bit of a Christmas movie. But plot-wise, how is this so? Well, the whole movie is about a dysfunctional family reuniting while at low points in their lives. All of them were once so successful and now in ruts. So of course who do people turn to during the holidays as well as when they’re down on their luck? Family. 

Which is kinda what made the whole thing a bit haunting. I’m sure most who watch that movie feel kinda good about life since there’s a fair bit of humour and cuteness and charm in there, but I see another Hollywood story telling the audience to be okay with being at a low point. Or maybe its finding solace at a low point. Or maybe I have issues.

Another thing that I found haunting, the love between Richie and his adopted sister, Margot. Yes, they’re not related by blood, and yes, the movie mentions this, but it speaks to a theory I’ve long held. Did you know that the further apart in genes two parents are, the higher the likelihood of smarts their kid shall have? And, obviously, mixed kids are better looking. The opposite is also true: parents closer in genes are more likely to produce kids with mental and physical problems. People who don’t have the capabilities to venture beyond their comfort zone and successfully breed are likely to go back to their place of origin out of a yearning for something, some sort of success. This is more like pre-historic thinking, BTW. I don't think many resort to inbreeding nowadays just because no one on them swipes right. I just saying that I doubt Margot would go for her non-blood brother had she a husband with whom she shared a happy marriage.

Kinda Lannister, innt? 

This rant’s got me thinking that Game of Thrones was in part the finale of House Lannister (which I believe was foreshadowed by their family's apparent theme song, The Rains of Castamere, which lyricized the downfall of the Castamere House) By the end of the show, I believe only Tyrion survived or held any sort of prominence, and he’s unlikely to produce a legit heir with all his whoring and intimacy issues. Nor would he be forced to by any lordly patri/matriarch. 

So, I guess my overall point is, Jamie and Cersei’s hooking up was a sign of the end times; a family that failed to move on and defaulted to each other. 

Merry Christmas. 

Charlie Brown, Peanut