The Royal Tenenbaums
Stasis
Royal explained to his kids that he would be separated from his wife, Etheline. His kids Chas, and Margot, who was adopted and the youngest kid Richie all achieved huge success at a very young age. They are so successful that Etheline wrote a book about how she educated them. Eli is the neighbour’s kid and Riche’s best friend.
After living in a hotel for twenty-two years, Royal went broke and got kicked out. His kids are all in a post-success slump. Riche was a tennis prodigy, and now he just travels the world on a cruise ship because of his breakdown. He writes to his friend Eli to reveal his love for his non-related sister Margot. Chas lost his wife in a plane crash and has become overprotective of his kids. Margot is married to neurologist Raleigh St. Clair, who is conducting research on a subject named Dudley. Margot follows extreme secrecy; she has never revealed her smoking and checkered past. Eli just recently won himself a reputation from his recent novel.
Trigger
Etheline’s longtime accountant, Henry Sherman, proposes to her. Learning of Henry’s proposal, Royal claims he has stomach cancer to win back his wife’s and children’s affections.
The quest
They all returned because they wanted to fix their issue and relationship with their family members.
Surprise
They found out Royal’s lie and Margot’s secret(smoking and sexual promiscuity).
Eli, high on mescaline crashes his car into the side of the house Before Henry and Etheline’s wedding.
Critical choice
Royal decides that he wants Etheline to be happy, and finally arranges for a divorce. Eli and Chas agrees to both take therapy. Margot tries to quit smoking.
Climax
Richie attempted suicide. Everyone gathered at hospital.
Etheline and Henry got marries
Chas paunches Eli.
Reversal
Royal finds a job. Everyone tries to solve their problems instead of avoiding and escaping.
Resolution
Some time later, Margot releases a new play inspired by her family and past events, Raleigh publishes a book about Dudley’s condition, Eli checks himself into a drug rehabilitation facility and Richie begins teaching a junior tennis program. Chas becomes less overprotective of his children. Royal seems to have improved his relationship with all his children, and seems to be on better terms with Etheline. He has a heart attack and dies at the age of 68. Chas accompanies him in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, and is the only witness to his death. The family attends his funeral.
Archtypes:
The Tenenbaums family are hero/shadow (my understanding that is this story doesn’t have the clear line between line between good and bad. Everyone in this story is a sinner and their own saviours)
Eli-Trickster (He is the embodiment of a clown. He wants to try to fit in and impress the Tenenbaums so much)
Henry-Herald (His propose to Etheline reminds Royal)
Pagoda-ally (A good servant)
Raleigh St. Clair-ally (A nice husband)
Royal before the film start:
Born in and raised neglected( One of his parents, or maybe both are very rude, uneducated and racist)—climb his way up hard and become a lawyer