The Phoenician Scheme: A Quirky Exploration by Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson has once again presented us with his signature blend of quirky, linear comedy. While he often feels the weight of adhering to a cinematic style that borrows from many others, it’s clear that his work remains distinct from more traditional films.
The Phoenician Scheme injects fun, following Anderson’s typical pace, though it feels somewhat less vibrant in terms of visuals compared to his earlier projects. The emotional depth for the characters seems a bit lacking, and it’s a little awkward to see icons like Tom Hanks, Willem Dafoe, and Scarlett Johansson delivering almost flat cameos. On the brighter side, Mia Sreptton shines as a likable lead, presenting a somewhat eerie reflection of her mother, Kate Winslet.
The “Phoenician Scheme” itself—an odd and convoluted plan—centers around Zsa-Zsa Korda, portrayed by Benicio Del Toro. He’s a powerful figure in a fictional Middle Eastern nation with an economy reliant on dubious mining and fishing practices that exploit slave labor within agriculture.
To execute his plan, Zsa-Zsa has made financial agreements with relatives and associates, including Marty (Jeffrey Wright), cousin Hilda (Scarlett Johansson), Marseille Bob (Matthew Amalic), and his brother Nuval. It’s a quiet narrative overall.
His daughter, a novice nun named Liesl (Mia Slarepleton), appears caught between her ambitions and the family business, much like Michael Corleone. Also in the mix is Bjorn Lund (Michael Cera), a tutor in a Norwegian family, who is smitten with Liesl.
However, the US government is now aiming to dismantle Zsa-Zsa’s scheme, attempting to influence the market for “vashable rivets” through a strategy reminiscent of Bobby Kennedy’s political maneuvers. Meanwhile, Zsa-Zsa faces a devastating crash in a government-controlled aircraft, leading to a divine revelation portrayed by Bill Murray.
Anderson’s charming, child-like style remains, but it risks becoming a formula. While the film is consistently engaging and filled with the usual whimsical ideas, there’s a noticeable reduction in romantic elements and a lack of the profound sense of isolation that defined some of his previous works.
