The Royal Tenenbaums is a film that explores the theme of change of family dynamics in one that is very dysfunctional. Margot Tenenbaum, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, is one character in particular that exemplifies change throughout the the progression of the film. Margot starts off as a childhood prodigy for her talent in writing screenplays. When she becomes an adult, she marries a man much older than her, and is clearly unhappy. Although her last name may have changed, and she had stopped writing plays, many things remain the same. For example, she still has the same haircut, wears the same makeup, and dresses in the same striped dresses with a fur coat. But more importantly, she still acts the same as when she did when she was a child. She is still very aloof and independent, and doesn't seem to care about a lot of people, especially her family.
But as the film continues, Margot does in fact change. I think the most pivotal moment for her in the film was when she decided to go into Richie's tent. In that scene, when she is talking to him and kisses him, she seems so vulnerable, which is such a contrast from her previous extremely cold exterior. She shows compassion and emotion here, when she asks Richie about his attempted suicide. It is an interesting scene to watch, to see the contrast, and to see her do and say things that you wouldn't think she would have said based on how she acted before. It makes me wonder if she doesn't show emotion because she wants to remain tough so no one can hurt her like Royal once did when he left, or if she genuinely is like that...
I think you made a very good point when you said that Margot doesn't show emotion so that no one can hurt her. When Margot was young, Royal never made her feel loved and that's what she grew up with, so she never really felt like she could trust anyone. Until the scene with Richie in the tent, Margot had never showed any emotion throughout the movie, and I think that her feeling safe enough to open up to Richie shows how much Margot had changed as a character.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with what you said about Margot, and how we see such a change in character for the first time with Richie in the tent. In my opinion, I think Margot is afraid of being let down again, so she holds herself back from expressing how she really feels about things with her family and life. Deep down, all along, she definitely has felt emotion, but feels such a wall between her and the rest of her family that she doesnt have anyone to talk to about it.
ReplyDeleteI found it really interesting how you decided to focus on Margot. I think she is a very complex character in the sense that she clings on to her childhood ways as an adult because she was deprived of an emotional connection to her family. Aside from her appearance like you mentioned, I think she acts the way she does because she isn't motivated to live her life to her full potential.
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