Free Association

I saw The Royal Tenenbaums with my stalwart comrade Nitetrain Nick in Houston back in 2001. I do believe it’s my favorite movie that I’ve seen in a cinema. Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson wrote a cracking script, word-perfect. They assembled one of the best casts ever and each actor delivers memorably but what makes the movie unforgettable is the little things. The dalmatian mice. The closet full of board games. 111 Archer Avenue. The tent. The Baumer. Wildcat. Mescaline. Those violent paintings. Amazing names. The Coens always have great names but this movie is the best ‘named’ film ever. Royal. Etheline. Chaz. Margot. Richie. Eli. Raleigh. Mordecai. Dudley. Buckley. Uzi. Ari. Pagoda. Dusty. Gorgeously directed, wonderfully acted, perfectly written and the music hits you right in the face. It’s almost impossible to choose one great scene from this movie so here’s one of many scenes in this film that give me chills. One of the finest opening scenes ever. Go Mordecai!