Filming the Comedy-Drama “The Royal Tenenbaums” in Queens

“The Royal Tenenbaums” is undeniably one of the greatest films of the 21st century. This 2001 work by director Wes Anderson tells the story of a family of geniuses and their sudden reunion under one roof. The movie was shot entirely in New York City, and some key scenes might look familiar to residents of Queens. Read on for more details at queens-trend.

The Plot

Royal and Etheline Tenenbaum are the parents of three gifted children. Their eldest son, Chas, is a finance and chemistry prodigy; their adopted daughter, Margot, is a celebrated playwright; and their youngest son, Richie, is a tennis master. When the children were young, Royal left the family, staying away for a long 22 years. As adults, the three siblings face their own struggles. Chas is grieving his wife, who died in a plane crash, forcing him to raise his two sons alone. Margot is struggling with career difficulties and an unhappy marriage to a much older neurologist. Richie, after a series of athletic failures, sets off on a year-long cruise around the world.

Etheline, mature and intelligent (unlike her husband), works as an archaeologist. Henry Sherman, her devoted accountant, proposes marriage. Etheline asks for time to think. During this period, Royal decides to return home. In an attempt to elicit sympathy, he pretends to be terminally ill. Through this deception, Royal achieves a family reunion, and the Tenenbaums once again live under the same roof. However, Chas is furious about his father’s return, as he doesn’t trust him. Margot appears indifferent, while Richie is sympathetic and loving. As Royal tries to mend relationships with his children, he grows jealous of Henry. After a verbal altercation, Henry proves to the family that Royal is faking his illness. From that moment on, the former patriarch is forced to fight for his reputation and desperately try to reconnect with his loved ones.

Filming Locations

The story of “The Royal Tenenbaums” takes place in New York City, which is exactly where the film was shot. The primary non-living character—the family’s house—is located in Manhattan. In reality, it’s the Charles Tuttle Mansion, built in 1890. Wes Anderson rented the property for six months to make the movie.

As for Queens, the Forest Hills neighborhood made it onto the screen, specifically the West Side Tennis Club. This is where tennis player Richie competes in the final match that ultimately ends his career. Incidentally, the residential area of Forest Hills features multi-story terraces with great views of the Manhattan skyline, as well as Tudor-style houses on tree-lined streets.

Although the film was set in New York, the director intentionally avoided famous landmarks. He believed that such well-known sights would distract from the main story. In the scene where Royal and Pagoda are having a discussion in Battery Park, Anderson deliberately “blocked” the Statue of Liberty by positioning actor Kumar Pallana directly between the landmark and the camera.

The Cast

One of the biggest draws of “The Royal Tenenbaums” is its star-studded cast. Gene Hackman (Royal), Anjelica Huston (Etheline), Ben Stiller (Chas), and Gwyneth Paltrow (Margot) are some of the most famous names in Hollywood. Interestingly, Owen and Luke Wilson, along with Danny Glover, almost signed on for “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001). While that crime thriller became one of the decade’s most notable films, these legendary actors ended up exactly where they needed to be: alongside Wes. Without them, “The Royal Tenenbaums” likely wouldn’t have achieved its success.

Wes Anderson wrote the role of Royal Tenenbaum specifically for Gene Hackman, but the actor was hesitant to take it on. The director, convinced that only Hackman should play the lead, made every effort to persuade the film legend. The two-time Oscar winner was accustomed to earning much larger sums than offered, but he ultimately agreed to join the project. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow confessed that she hates watching herself on screen, with the exception of one scene in “The Royal Tenenbaums.” Specifically, it’s the moment when Margot, in her fur coat and heavy eyeliner, steps off the bus to meet Richie and Nico. Her father, producer Bruce Paltrow, was on set that day, which added to Gwyneth’s fondness for the scene. Bruce passed away in 2002 due to complications from oral cancer and pneumonia.

Fun Facts

1. The director’s brother, Eric Chase Anderson, played a significant role behind the scenes. For instance, in Richie’s childhood flashback scene, we learn he is not just a tennis star but a talented artist. The paintings shown on screen were done by Eric Chase Anderson. He also created the cover art for The Criterion Collection’s release of the film and helped design the children’s rooms in the Tenenbaum house.
2. Margot’s husband, Raleigh St. Clair, is based on a real person—Oliver Sacks. Sacks was a working neurologist who specialized in patients struggling with a wide range of neurological disorders. Etheline’s character, meanwhile, was inspired by Anderson’s mother, an archaeologist. The director even lent the actress his mother’s old glasses to fully embody the desired look.
3. The writing style of Eli Cash (a family friend) was inspired by Cormac McCarthy, the American novelist and playwright, a modern classic and Pulitzer Prize winner.
4. Mordecai the falcon got lost during filming in New York. He was sheltered by a local resident who offered to return the bird to the crew for a ransom. The crew declined. Ultimately, the role of Mordecai was played by three different falcons, as well as a hawk.
5. Anjelica Huston’s (Etheline) hair was accidentally set on fire. During the scene of Margot’s birthday (a childhood flashback), the actress’s hair caught fire from a candle. Actor Kumar Pallana quickly put out the flame, saving Huston from burns.
6. The scene where Chas is shot in the hand was based on a real event. As a child, screenwriter Owen Wilson accidentally shot his brother Andrew in the hand.
7. At the 75th Academy Awards, “The Royal Tenenbaums” received one nomination for Best Original Screenplay. It’s worth noting that the aforementioned Owen Wilson helped Wes Anderson write the script. Although famous as a comedic actor, Wilson is an equally talented screenwriter. They did not win the award, however.
8. This was Anderson’s first film not shot in Texas. Wes was born in Houston, and the brothers Owen, Luke, and Andrew Wilson were born in Dallas. Early in their careers, this team worked exclusively on their home turf, but in 2001, they left their southern comfort zone.
9. “The Royal Tenenbaums” was Anderson’s highest-grossing film upon release. Its creators managed to bring in $71.4 million against a budget of $21 million.
10. Margot’s wooden finger became a sort of symbol for the film. Many characters have signature visual traits: Chas and his sons wear tracksuits, and Richie constantly wears sunglasses and a headband. However, Margot has perhaps the most unusual feature—a wooden prosthetic finger. In a childhood flashback scene, Margot recalls her biological father swinging an axe at a piece of wood and accidentally severing her finger.