Never the same

I treat myself to a movie after every test. It doesn't matter who stars in it, as long as it keeps me interested and I get something out of it.

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) is a comedy-drama about a brilliant, dysfunctional family. If you liked J.D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey, you'll probably like this, too.

The three children are extremely gifted. Chas (Ben Stiller) is a genius in international finance. He also breeds dalmatian mice in his home-based lab. Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), the adopted daughter, is a popular playwright. Richie (Luke Wilson) is a world-class tennis player.

Their parents are Royal (Gene Hackman) and Etheline Tenenbaum (Anjelica Huston). Etheline makes sure the children reach their utmost potential. Royal and Etheline then separate—he was unfaithful—but they don't file for divorce.

The children eventually grow up, each living separate, problematic lives. Chas now has two sons who wear the same sports gear as his all the time. He's having a hard time getting over his wife's death. Margot is married to a neuroscientist (Bill Murray) and is unhappy. Richie has quit tennis and is living on an ocean liner.

At that point Royal, who hasn't spoken to his wife for seven years, finds out that she is in love with her accountant, Henry Sherman (Danny Glover). He wants to get his act together for his wife to love him back and for his children to like him. 

Royal pretends that he's sick and dying. Upon hearing about the tragedy, all the children decide to come back to the house. But it's a circus of struggles, conflicts, and emotions—all weaved into a funny, engaging film by Wes Anderson.

The Royal Tenenbaums, then, is a story of redemption. You can get your life back, but it will never be the same again.

Which movie should I watch after Clinical Epidemiology?