The Royal Tenenbaums

Movie (2001)

Excellent, critically acclaimed comedy, with Gene Hackman heading a top-notch cast as world's worst father Royal Tenenbaum, whose three children were all child geniuses and all left hopelessly screwed up by his callous treatment. When he learns his estranged wife Etheline (Anjelica Huston) is about to remarry, Royal is determined to place himself back in the family home after years away - but elects to gain sympathy by faking a terminal illness. Director Wes Anderson brings his trademark quirky sensibilities to bear on this story, but keeps the characters grounded enough to care about - Hackman is particularly wonderful as the selfish patriarch trying to wheedle a second chance out of his kids. Gwyneth Paltrow, Luke Wilson and Ben Stiller play the adult Tenenbaum children