Who like The Royal Tenenbaums?
July 26, 2006 6:50 AM Subscribe
What else is like The Royal Tenebaums?
A friend is trying to improve her English (native Japanese), and I lent her The Royal Tenenbaums DVD because it's full of very deliberate English. I didn't like the movie, but she LOVED IT! She's watched it 10's of times and said that she loves everything about it. She loves the style, story, costumes, font, narration...EVERYTHING. So, what has a similar tone to the Royal Tenenbaums? If you like the Royal Tenenbaums, which other movies do you like for the same reasons? If you dislike The Royal Tenenbaums, which movies do you dislike for the same reasons?
A friend is trying to improve her English (native Japanese), and I lent her The Royal Tenenbaums DVD because it's full of very deliberate English. I didn't like the movie, but she LOVED IT! She's watched it 10's of times and said that she loves everything about it. She loves the style, story, costumes, font, narration...EVERYTHING. So, what has a similar tone to the Royal Tenenbaums? If you like the Royal Tenenbaums, which other movies do you like for the same reasons? If you dislike The Royal Tenenbaums, which movies do you dislike for the same reasons?
This may be a bit obvious, but I think that the Wes Anderson movie that is most similar to The Royal Tenebaums is The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, which I enjoyed, but thought was a really flawed movie. Both are about the ways that fathers can be so incredibly selfish and disappointing, but also not so.
posted by ND¢ at 7:00 AM on July 26, 2006
posted by ND¢ at 7:00 AM on July 26, 2006
She might like certain Robert Altman movies with ensemble casts--Short Cuts, for example. Or P.T. Anderson's Magnolia, which is lighter and quirkier, and wishes it was Short Cuts.
For deliberately spoken English, films by David Lynch are the way to go.
For directors in love with Futura, the only other close match I can think of is Stanley Kubrick, who has a thing for Futura Extra Bold.
posted by Prospero at 7:00 AM on July 26, 2006
For deliberately spoken English, films by David Lynch are the way to go.
For directors in love with Futura, the only other close match I can think of is Stanley Kubrick, who has a thing for Futura Extra Bold.
posted by Prospero at 7:00 AM on July 26, 2006
Aesthetically and sylistically, I'd suggest:
Rushmore (same director, I believe, and similar music)
A Life Aquatic
I Heart Huckabees
The Virgin Suicides
Lost in Translation (especially since it's set in Japan!)
The Science of Sleep
Eternal Sunshine (possibly)
These are all quite similar in that off-kilter, slightly zany, intelligent, but cute style.
posted by wackybrit at 7:04 AM on July 26, 2006
Rushmore (same director, I believe, and similar music)
A Life Aquatic
I Heart Huckabees
The Virgin Suicides
Lost in Translation (especially since it's set in Japan!)
The Science of Sleep
Eternal Sunshine (possibly)
These are all quite similar in that off-kilter, slightly zany, intelligent, but cute style.
posted by wackybrit at 7:04 AM on July 26, 2006
Covering much darker territory than Wes Anderson, granted, but David Mamet's films contain very deliberate and wrought-out dialog.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 7:08 AM on July 26, 2006
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 7:08 AM on July 26, 2006
I might point her towards some Woody Allen in general, but especially Everyone Says I Love You, his weird and somewhat underrated (IMHO) quasi-musical.
Also, along the lines of oddly precise language, a lot of Hal Hartley's films fit the bill nicely. Trust and Simple Men are probably the most accessible.
posted by j-dawg at 7:19 AM on July 26, 2006
Also, along the lines of oddly precise language, a lot of Hal Hartley's films fit the bill nicely. Trust and Simple Men are probably the most accessible.
posted by j-dawg at 7:19 AM on July 26, 2006
the dialogues in Kubrick movies, from '2001' on, have a very creepy, deliberately 'off' quality
posted by matteo at 7:27 AM on July 26, 2006
posted by matteo at 7:27 AM on July 26, 2006
Not a movie, but the recently unjustly cancelled Arrested Development is great, with tons of deliberate dialogue and a great ensemble cast portraying a very awry family. You have to watch it all the way through to get a lot of the jokes, but christ, it's fucking amazing.
posted by The Michael The at 7:28 AM on July 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by The Michael The at 7:28 AM on July 26, 2006 [1 favorite]
TRT is a movie like none other I've experienced, for all the reasons your friend mentioned and more. It's easily my favorite movie.
That being said, I suggest the following for the writing, character development, and general feel/atmosphere:
Rushmore
The Squid and the Whale
Igby Goes Down
With reservations (due to less-than-perfected scripts), I suggest:
Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
The Life Aquatic
Me and You and Everyone We Know
If your friend liked the fact that there were thematic color schemes through out the movie and the general costuming, I'd suggest the 1998 version of Great Expectations.
posted by Flamingo at 7:34 AM on July 26, 2006
That being said, I suggest the following for the writing, character development, and general feel/atmosphere:
Rushmore
The Squid and the Whale
Igby Goes Down
With reservations (due to less-than-perfected scripts), I suggest:
Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
The Life Aquatic
Me and You and Everyone We Know
If your friend liked the fact that there were thematic color schemes through out the movie and the general costuming, I'd suggest the 1998 version of Great Expectations.
posted by Flamingo at 7:34 AM on July 26, 2006
The Milagro Beanfield War.
Cold Comfort Farm.
...and in a more drippy, sticky, not as nearly art but still enjoyable way, Love Actually.
posted by ewkpates at 7:40 AM on July 26, 2006
Cold Comfort Farm.
...and in a more drippy, sticky, not as nearly art but still enjoyable way, Love Actually.
posted by ewkpates at 7:40 AM on July 26, 2006
I would second "Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" - that's a movie that just does not get enough mentions anywhere...
posted by chr1sb0y at 7:43 AM on July 26, 2006
posted by chr1sb0y at 7:43 AM on July 26, 2006
Seconding "Igby Goes Down" and "The Squid and the Whale." (Damn you, flamingo, for beating me to it!)
posted by occhiblu at 7:44 AM on July 26, 2006
posted by occhiblu at 7:44 AM on July 26, 2006
Some Cohen Brothers, perhaps? Hard to suggest individual films, but the Big Lebowski seems to be enjoyed internationally. The Hudsucker Proxy also, and maybe Intolerable Cruelty (though it's nowhere near as good as the other two imho).
posted by MetaMonkey at 7:46 AM on July 26, 2006
posted by MetaMonkey at 7:46 AM on July 26, 2006
Napoleon Dynamite. Seriously. Has a very similar tone to Royal Tenenbaums.
Also, possibly Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch-Drunk Love, (possibly Boogie Nights as well?) though it has a darker edge throughout.
I Heart Huckabees gets a recommendation from me as well. As for Cohen Brothers, I'd recommend Hudsucker Proxy for similar tone and the glorious set-design/art direction. Big Lebowski is simply fantastic, if a bit less 'measured' in tone compared to Royal Tenenbaums.
posted by slimepuppy at 7:56 AM on July 26, 2006
Also, possibly Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch-Drunk Love, (possibly Boogie Nights as well?) though it has a darker edge throughout.
I Heart Huckabees gets a recommendation from me as well. As for Cohen Brothers, I'd recommend Hudsucker Proxy for similar tone and the glorious set-design/art direction. Big Lebowski is simply fantastic, if a bit less 'measured' in tone compared to Royal Tenenbaums.
posted by slimepuppy at 7:56 AM on July 26, 2006
Shopgirl, based on Steve Martin's novella of the same name. It has voiceover narration that's amusingly deliberate and restrained, and the main characters (Mirabelle and Ray) both speak in a slightly stilted, old-fashioned way.
posted by junkbox at 7:59 AM on July 26, 2006
posted by junkbox at 7:59 AM on July 26, 2006
Personally, I think Anderson's style owes a lot to "The Graduate".
posted by mr_roboto at 8:24 AM on July 26, 2006
posted by mr_roboto at 8:24 AM on July 26, 2006
"Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" is incredibly awful and I would recommend against ever spending any money to see it. Or even any time.
The Life Aquatic was better than TRT in my humble, but I thought that TRT had a forced quirk about it. I Heart Huckabees, Rushmore, Short Cuts, Altman's Nashville, Sleeper, The Hudsucker Proxy, The Big Lebowski, Oh Brother..., and Philidelphia Story are all movies that I would recommend to fans of TRT.
posted by klangklangston at 8:28 AM on July 26, 2006
The Life Aquatic was better than TRT in my humble, but I thought that TRT had a forced quirk about it. I Heart Huckabees, Rushmore, Short Cuts, Altman's Nashville, Sleeper, The Hudsucker Proxy, The Big Lebowski, Oh Brother..., and Philidelphia Story are all movies that I would recommend to fans of TRT.
posted by klangklangston at 8:28 AM on July 26, 2006
"Metropolitan" & "Barcelona," written and directed by Whit Stillman. Both use heightened, eloquent language. Also, pretty much any Jane Austen adaptation.
Try renting some old BBC dramas. I highly recommend "Upstairs, Downstairs" and "I, Claudius."
And some might think this odd, but I'd also recommend "Deadwood," (as long as your friend isn't offended by course language). The writing is beautiful, and also heightened.
For older, heightened language, try some Billy Wilder films -- especially "Double Indemnity."
More stylized, beautifully written movies:
"Barry Lyndon" and "Full Metal Jacket" (Kubrick)
"Remains of the Day" and "Howard's End" (Merchant/Ivory)
"Dangerous Liaisons" (Frears)
"The Age of Innocence" (Scorsese)
posted by grumblebee at 8:47 AM on July 26, 2006
Try renting some old BBC dramas. I highly recommend "Upstairs, Downstairs" and "I, Claudius."
And some might think this odd, but I'd also recommend "Deadwood," (as long as your friend isn't offended by course language). The writing is beautiful, and also heightened.
For older, heightened language, try some Billy Wilder films -- especially "Double Indemnity."
More stylized, beautifully written movies:
"Barry Lyndon" and "Full Metal Jacket" (Kubrick)
"Remains of the Day" and "Howard's End" (Merchant/Ivory)
"Dangerous Liaisons" (Frears)
"The Age of Innocence" (Scorsese)
posted by grumblebee at 8:47 AM on July 26, 2006
It's not a movie, but fans of the Tenenbaums should be familiar with J.D. Salinger's Glass Family stories.
BTW, not everyone loves Wes Anderson. I found "Rushmore" unwatchable.
posted by Rash at 8:48 AM on July 26, 2006
BTW, not everyone loves Wes Anderson. I found "Rushmore" unwatchable.
posted by Rash at 8:48 AM on July 26, 2006
Brick has exceptional dialogue and poignant language. It is a definitely darker movie though with its own subdued humor.
posted by blueyellow at 8:51 AM on July 26, 2006
posted by blueyellow at 8:51 AM on July 26, 2006
Man, I think this girl is going to be pretty disappointed in some of these suggestions. Even though I'm not a huge fan of Royal Tenenbaums (Rushmore is one of my faves however), it's definitely incredibly unique. Napoleon Dynamite? Come ON.
I would say for feel and whimsy and heart, Me and You and Everyone We Know comes closest, but it doesn't have the stylization that Wes Anderson brings to his films.
posted by Big Fat Tycoon at 9:30 AM on July 26, 2006
I would say for feel and whimsy and heart, Me and You and Everyone We Know comes closest, but it doesn't have the stylization that Wes Anderson brings to his films.
posted by Big Fat Tycoon at 9:30 AM on July 26, 2006
I have to second Arrested Development. While not a movie it certainly contains a lot of the qualities of TRT. It really is one of the most brilliant pieces of work I've ever seen, which is -- of course -- why it got cancelled.
posted by Sandor Clegane at 9:35 AM on July 26, 2006
posted by Sandor Clegane at 9:35 AM on July 26, 2006
Third-ing "Igby Goes Down."
Of Mamet's films, I'd suggest trying "State & Main" first.
Other suggestions:
The Barbarian Invasions
The Lion in Winter
Smiles of a Summer Night
The Magnificent Ambersons
Citizen Kane
Jules et Jim
Fanny & Alexander
Not really because they're similar to "Tenenbaums" because of plot, but because -- like "Tenenbaums" -- they look into the psychological lives of talented, complex individuals, deal with families or groups of people who are like family, incorporate humor into the telling of the story, and are just plain damn good.
posted by hazelshade at 9:36 AM on July 26, 2006
Of Mamet's films, I'd suggest trying "State & Main" first.
Other suggestions:
The Barbarian Invasions
The Lion in Winter
Smiles of a Summer Night
The Magnificent Ambersons
Citizen Kane
Jules et Jim
Fanny & Alexander
Not really because they're similar to "Tenenbaums" because of plot, but because -- like "Tenenbaums" -- they look into the psychological lives of talented, complex individuals, deal with families or groups of people who are like family, incorporate humor into the telling of the story, and are just plain damn good.
posted by hazelshade at 9:36 AM on July 26, 2006
I love "Deadwood", but it is not ideal for your friend. I'm a native English speaker and sometimes I have to watch an episode twice to get everything.
However, I second "Barry Lyndon". It is long and grim, but the narration might be what you are looking for.
posted by Alison at 9:41 AM on July 26, 2006
However, I second "Barry Lyndon". It is long and grim, but the narration might be what you are looking for.
posted by Alison at 9:41 AM on July 26, 2006
Also, for some reason something about Wes Anderson's style reminds me of Pedro Almodovar. (Or maybe the other way around.) His films are kind of stylized, there's often narration, definitely humor, what we appear on this thread to be calling "heightened language," etc. etc.
Arguably his best-loved films are "Talk to Her" and "All About My Mother." His newest, "Volver," is also getting really good buzz.
posted by hazelshade at 9:46 AM on July 26, 2006
Arguably his best-loved films are "Talk to Her" and "All About My Mother." His newest, "Volver," is also getting really good buzz.
posted by hazelshade at 9:46 AM on July 26, 2006
Spanking the Monkey
Niagara, Niagara
Heaven's Burning
They may or may not be what you are looking for. :)
posted by bleucube at 10:04 AM on July 26, 2006
Niagara, Niagara
Heaven's Burning
They may or may not be what you are looking for. :)
posted by bleucube at 10:04 AM on July 26, 2006
I would second Hudsucker Proxy, I Heart Huckabees, and The Philadelphia Story. In fact, I would suggest lots of old classics, especially anything with Grant, Hepburn, Bogart. And I love The Royal Tenenbaums, but found The Squid and the Whale the most unwatchable turd I was ever suckered into paying for, with Lost In Translation a close second. So depending on the person, I'd just caution that love for one does not necc. mean love for the other.
posted by dame at 10:06 AM on July 26, 2006
posted by dame at 10:06 AM on July 26, 2006
I was gonna say "a bathtup full of warm piss" because there's something really disturbing to me about The Royal T, even though I kind of like it.
Instead, I'll suggest the early Hal Hartley movies, which have the same kind of laconic, style conscious concern with art direction. The dialog can also be pretty similar. Flirt, The Unbelievable Truth, those are the ones I'm thinking of, and maybe whatever the third one was. They're from about 10 years earlier, so there are some differences there, but they came out of a very similar sensibility, I think.
And it's COEN brothers.
posted by OmieWise at 10:42 AM on July 26, 2006
Instead, I'll suggest the early Hal Hartley movies, which have the same kind of laconic, style conscious concern with art direction. The dialog can also be pretty similar. Flirt, The Unbelievable Truth, those are the ones I'm thinking of, and maybe whatever the third one was. They're from about 10 years earlier, so there are some differences there, but they came out of a very similar sensibility, I think.
And it's COEN brothers.
posted by OmieWise at 10:42 AM on July 26, 2006
My deepest and most humble apologies to the brothers Coen.
Also: American Beauty, Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump, Lord of the Rings / Harry Potter (maybe), True Romance (possibly).
posted by MetaMonkey at 11:18 AM on July 26, 2006
Also: American Beauty, Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump, Lord of the Rings / Harry Potter (maybe), True Romance (possibly).
posted by MetaMonkey at 11:18 AM on July 26, 2006
She might like certain Robert Altman movies with ensemble casts--Short Cuts, for example. Or P.T. Anderson's Magnolia, which is lighter and quirkier, and wishes it was Short Cuts.
I would caution against recommending Altman to someone still learning English, since the deliberately overlapping dialogue may be a major source of frustration.
And while it may not resonate in some ways, Tim Burton's movies are also quite stylistically distinct and tend to feature people speaking rather clearly. (Despite popular opinion, some of them--Big Fish and Edward Scissorhands in particular--are rather emotionally nuanced.)
posted by kittyprecious at 11:28 AM on July 26, 2006
I would caution against recommending Altman to someone still learning English, since the deliberately overlapping dialogue may be a major source of frustration.
And while it may not resonate in some ways, Tim Burton's movies are also quite stylistically distinct and tend to feature people speaking rather clearly. (Despite popular opinion, some of them--Big Fish and Edward Scissorhands in particular--are rather emotionally nuanced.)
posted by kittyprecious at 11:28 AM on July 26, 2006
Watching paint dry is pretty much the same.
Robert Altman definitely. In a strange way I thought Buffalo Bill and the Indians was similar.
posted by LarryC at 11:39 AM on July 26, 2006
Robert Altman definitely. In a strange way I thought Buffalo Bill and the Indians was similar.
posted by LarryC at 11:39 AM on July 26, 2006
The Lion in Winter
Jules et Jim
Smiles of a Summer Night
Fanny & Alexander
Er.... For someone wanting to learn English? I suppose she could read the subtitles, but I thought the point was to listen to the spoken language.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 11:56 AM on July 26, 2006
Jules et Jim
Smiles of a Summer Night
Fanny & Alexander
Er.... For someone wanting to learn English? I suppose she could read the subtitles, but I thought the point was to listen to the spoken language.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 11:56 AM on July 26, 2006
Eh, the Bergman films might still be good; Swedish is basically just English with a really strong accent, right?
posted by mr_roboto at 12:22 PM on July 26, 2006
posted by mr_roboto at 12:22 PM on July 26, 2006
I can't write ... I can't read ... I like to watch television.
posted by Chuckles at 4:22 PM on July 26, 2006
posted by Chuckles at 4:22 PM on July 26, 2006
blueyellow: "Brick has exceptional dialogue and poignant language. It is a definitely darker movie though with its own subdued humor."
Now, Brick (trailer) is one of my favorite all-time movies and everyone here should see it, but it would make anyone trying to improve their English completely wonky. (It's set in a contemporary high school but uses detective-novel lingo — guns are "gats" and phrases like "Bulls would only gum it" and "Ask any dope rat where the junk sprang and they'll say they scraped it off that, who scored it off this, who bought it off someone" are par for the course.)
posted by rafter at 10:11 PM on July 27, 2006
Now, Brick (trailer) is one of my favorite all-time movies and everyone here should see it, but it would make anyone trying to improve their English completely wonky. (It's set in a contemporary high school but uses detective-novel lingo — guns are "gats" and phrases like "Bulls would only gum it" and "Ask any dope rat where the junk sprang and they'll say they scraped it off that, who scored it off this, who bought it off someone" are par for the course.)
posted by rafter at 10:11 PM on July 27, 2006
I wouldn't have thought of it in response to the original question, but based on many of the suggestions here, You Can Count On Me (94% positive reviews at RT) might work.
It's character-driven, centered on the relationships of a unique family, features terrific dialogue, and is poignant rather than Hollywood-happy.
It is much more realistic and much less otherworldly than Tenenbaums, however.
posted by ibmcginty at 10:10 AM on December 21, 2006
It's character-driven, centered on the relationships of a unique family, features terrific dialogue, and is poignant rather than Hollywood-happy.
It is much more realistic and much less otherworldly than Tenenbaums, however.
posted by ibmcginty at 10:10 AM on December 21, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by godawful at 6:57 AM on July 26, 2006