StephenX

...Wes Anderson's other films? I recently grabbed the Criterion LAWSZ at a local used dvd shop for cheap, and LOVED IT! I have never been a fan of the quirky, indy-like humor, but this movie made me laugh. Not from slapstick or adult jokes, but from the characters. Willem Dafoe had me rolling more than once, and I really enjoyed this piece of work from Anderson, and I think I'm going to check out the Royal Tenenbaums next.

If I liked Life Aquatic, is there a good chance I'll enjoy Royal Tenenbaums? Is it funny?

Thanks,
-Stephen

gmerreighnjr

YES! i love Life Aquatic as well but it's my least favorite of his films....immediately pick up Bottle Rocket,Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums--you won't regret it

StephenX

Are the rest even funnier? I know Tenenbaums has a good story, but I'm worried about it being a good script but sacrificing humor.

GHackmann

It depends on your sense of humor. The comedy in Wes Anderson's earlier films is a lot drier, and a little bit darker (especially in The Royal Tenenbaums, where jokes revolve around things like ).

I recommend picking up The Royal Tenenbaums, since IMO it's his best film, the easiest of the three to find, and pretty cheap for a blind buy. If you like what you see, his earlier two films are a pretty safe bet.

StephenX

I'm gonna gamble on Royal Tenenbaums. Sounds funny. Gene Hackman pretending he has cancer sounds like good fun for me. Dry/dark humor is my kind of stuff.

Richard Malloy

I liked "Life Aquatic" well enough, but it's the only Wes Anderson film I didn't purchase for my collection. I suspect that if you like it, you'll love his other films, and I'd start with "Rushmore" given the many similarities in theme between it and "Aquatic".

I'd also check out Noah Baumbach's films, who is - increasingly - Wes Anderson's main script collaborator, with his largest role coming with "Aquatic".

The Bus

I think you will and hopefully you'll be delighted. The only Wes Anderson film I don't own on DVD is Bottle Rocket. I'm not upgrading my VHS copy until a decent version of the film comes out on disc.

Captain Freeze

Kicking and Screaming is very very funny.

Josh Z

Keeping in mind that you're referring to this "Kicking and Screaming":

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113537/

Not the recent Will Ferrell soccer movie.

Richard Malloy

Yeah, definitely don't get the wrong "Kicking and Screaming"! Make sure the DVD you rent/buy is from Criterion, and you'll get the right one.

And be sure to check out "The Squid and the Whale" by Baumbach. It's sorta that "family melodrama/dark comedy" type approach that's at least somewhat similar to "The Royal Tenenbaums" (and also "Life Aquatic"), but "Squid" is darker and a bit less whimsical/absurd than Wes Anderson's films. More realistic; less wacky... that sorta thing.

NoirFan

I liked Wes Anderson's other films...but I didn't like... Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.

Dr Mabuse

i REALLY liked LAWSZ... it may be my favorite Anderson film... maybe a tie with Tenenbaums... but Rushmore and Bottle Rocket are exceptional films too... important to note that Bottle Rocket and Rushmore and Tenenbaums announced Owen Wilson to the world as a screenplay writer...

i own all Wes's films...

but LAWSZ is really special in so many ways... not the least of which is that awesome David Bowie work in Portuguese by Seu Jorge... Link... amazing work that... one of my favorite CD's i own is that Seu Jorge bowie stuff from LAWSZ... i cannot speak highly enough of that music... course i'm a pretty major Bowie fan too...

and the soundtrack itself was really special too... Link... but that Sue Jorge CD is one of the finest i own... amazing...

ryuryu2949

I liked Life Aquatic, but like Royal Tanenbaums much more. Rushmore is very good too, so I recommend that.

Stay away from Bottle Rocket. Different feel and not very funny. IMHO, it is noteworthy only to see how far the Wilson brothers have come.

Ginwen

Same here, except that I love his other films (especially Royal Tenenbaums). I have no idea what that means for the OP--I guess just check em out.

cranberries fan

I love them all (I have not seen Bottle Rocket yet!)

fiver

Life Aquatic took me a few viewings to like much. I love Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums; however, Rushmore I feel is bonafide classic of the '90s. It cracks me up everytime I see it and made me realize what a terrific dramatic talene Bill Murray is.

But then, if I hadn't seen The Royal Tenenbaums, I might never have added the word 'friscalating' to my vocabulary...

All great movies!

StephenX

Thanks for your replies, guys!

I picked up Royal Tenenbaums and LOVED IT! It was a great movie with a lot of humor and emotion put into it. Thanks for the recommendation. I had forgotten just how great Bill Murray really is.

gmerreighnjr

glad you loved it! Tenenbaums is my second favorite Anderson film behind Rushmore which you must see next--try getting the Criterion version if at all possible

micmac36

I love these movies as well. I have been looking for any of them to go on sale. I picked up Tenenbaums criterion from BB a month or two ago. Still waiting for a deal on Rushmore and Life Aquatic (preferably criterion). Anyone else see deals on these?