Meet the Tenenbaums - a family to which everyone wants to belong but in which no one feels they belong. 22 years ago the three children were developing geniuses. Now they reflect broken dreams, bitterness and loss.
The characters are the sum of their peculiarities. There's the former tennis pro with a pet eagle (Luke Wilson), the former playwright with a wooden finger (Paltrow) and the former financial whiz with a limited wardrobe (Stiller). This New York City is also peculiar - a place where a good time on the streets means dog fights, go-cart and garbage truck rides, or throwing water bombs at the curiously dented 'Gypsy' cabs. Bringing everyone together is Royal Tenenbaum (Hackman), a selfish old bastard largely responsible for everyone's misfortunes. Nonetheless, he has announced his imminent death and the family returns home for possibly the last time.
The feelings of sorrow are palpable, the characters' psychology is comfortingly screwed up, and the desire of all to make something of themselves is heartfelt, especially Royal - who, so close to the end of his life, has nothing to show for it. He's ready to make an effort. Maybe belonging wouldn't be so bad after all.