In preparation for the release of the new Wes Anderson movie, Fantastic Mr. Fox, which comes out this November, I thought it would be nice to reflect on The Royal Tenenbaums, one of the most aesthetically awesome movies in the history of film. (Oh I said it!) Also, maybe my favorite movie of all time. It is about a family of low-functioning geniuses-- the Tenenbaums -- living in a gutted-out, broken-down, and highly romanticized alternate-universe version of Brooklyn. Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow) is a once-brilliant playwright who peaked at age twelve and has been smoking herself through depression ever since. Chas is a hyper-neurotic fatalist in a red track suit. Richie, a fallen tennis champion, is in love with his sister Margot (although she is, as is frequently pointed out, adopted) and has been sailing the world on an ocean liner in a futile attempt to get over her.
Now, this movie has several, um, very important lessons buried within its subtext. Such as: the importance of a good soundtrack, and the power of a thick layer of eyeliner. But one thing I distinctly remember my high school self taking away from it at the time was: the benefit of having a uniform. These characters wear basically, if not actually, the same thing every day. But because of that, every single element of their outfit says something about them. Margot Tenenbaum's Lacoste minidress-and-fur coat combo is almost as instantly recognizable as Lady Gaga's bubble outfit, and anyone in a red track suit would be immediately taken for Chas (or his progeny) on any given Halloween. And what I realized, too, when shamelessly mimicking this technique, was that having a "look" makes life (not to mention shopping)...way easier. So check out the movie, buy some tennis clothes, and put a dreamy record on the record player -- until next week.
Now, this movie has several, um, very important lessons buried within its subtext. Such as: the importance of a good soundtrack, and the power of a thick layer of eyeliner. But one thing I distinctly remember my high school self taking away from it at the time was: the benefit of having a uniform. These characters wear basically, if not actually, the same thing every day. But because of that, every single element of their outfit says something about them. Margot Tenenbaum's Lacoste minidress-and-fur coat combo is almost as instantly recognizable as Lady Gaga's bubble outfit, and anyone in a red track suit would be immediately taken for Chas (or his progeny) on any given Halloween. And what I realized, too, when shamelessly mimicking this technique, was that having a "look" makes life (not to mention shopping)...way easier. So check out the movie, buy some tennis clothes, and put a dreamy record on the record player -- until next week.
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