The Royal Tenenbaums · written by Wes Anderson & Owen Wilson · 2001

Royal asks the Japanese ambassador to let them into the backyard, and Henry tells him he is not an asshole.

Scene 132 of 143 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Royal
Henry

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Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:50 into a 1:59 film

The story so farBefore scene 132

After losing his hotel room, Royal claims he has only weeks to live so he can move back in with his estranged family; as the truth unravels, he must find a way to be useful and earn a place in their lives.

Scenes 1–39
Royal is absent from the children’s adult lives, and their family remains shaped by his betrayals and abandonment.
Scenes 40–47
Royal wants a path back to Etheline and the children, and claims impending death will give him one.
Scenes 48–50
He returns to the house and openly asks his children for a chance to make things right.
Scenes 51–90
Royal tries to reconnect through schemes, misjudgments and genuine care, learning that affection alone cannot erase old injuries.
Scenes 91–92
Royal admits to Etheline that he hoped to win her back and remove Henry, revealing the motive behind his return.
Scenes 92–110
Royal loses the household and faces separation again; Richie’s suicide attempt exposes the family’s deeper pain.
Scene 111
Richie asks Royal for advice, inviting his father to help him face a painful truth rather than perform a reunion.
Scene 115
Royal asks whether someone who has been awful all their life can still want to repair the damage.
Just before
Scene 129
Pagoda offers Eli a quail’s egg as Chas bursts into the kitchen and Eli escapes through the back.
Scene 130
Chas catches Eli in the garden and throws him over a wall after Richie tries to stop him.
Scene 131
In the neighbor’s Zen garden, Chas and Eli admit they both need help after Buckley’s death.
Scene 132
This scene

132EXT. EMBASSY. DAY.

Henry and Royal run around the corner and up the steps of a neighbor’s house. A plaque next to the front door says “Residence of the Japanese Ambassador.” Royal knocks. They wait. Royal looks to Henry. He says suddenly:

ROYAL

Can I say something to you, Henry?

Henry looks to Royal.

ROYAL (CONT’D)

I’ve been considered an asshole for

about as long as I can remember. That’s

just my style. But I’d feel pretty blue

if I didn’t think you were going to

forgive me.

Henry nods. He says gently:

HENRY

I don’t think you’re an asshole, Royal.

You’re just a kind of a son of a bitch.

Royal seems genuinely moved by this remark.

ROYAL

Well, I appreciate that.

The door opens. A small Asian woman in a kimono looks out at them.

ROYAL (CONT’D)

Can we get into your backyard, ma’am?

We got a couple of boys out there.