A One Mann’s Movies review of “The Phoenician Scheme” (2025).
The trailer for “The Phoenician Scheme” had barely got past the 5 second mark before I said “Oh, a new Wes Anderson!” (and that included the “Universal”, “Focus Features” and “Indian Paintbrush” production-logos!). For such is the unique visual style of Anderson’s films that you almost only need a single still frame to identify the director.
Sadly, Anderson’s films have been rather like a game of Russian Roulette for me. They always look a million dollars, but too often the director will wander off down (in my view) some pretentious side-roads that detract from the narrative and frankly annoy the hell out of me. But, although occasionally taking us to the after-life for quick, spiky sojourns, this film pretty much stays to its knitting and I found it funny and enjoyable.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
“The Phoenician Scheme” Plot:
Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio Del Toro) is an astute businessman, one of the “richest in Europe”. After the umpteenth assassination attempt, he is evaluating his legacy and wants to leave his entire fortune to his one daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton), bypassing his 9 sons. But Liesl is a teetotal and chaste nun about to take holy orders and wants nothing to do with Korda’s nefarious business practices.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong injury detail”.)
Talent:
Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Truman Hanks, Steve Park, Willem Dafoe, F. Murray Abraham, Rupert Friend, Alex Jennings, Jason Watkins, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, Benedict Cumberbatch.
Directed by: Wes Anderson.
Written by: Wes Anderson. (From a story by Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola.)
Running Time: 1h 41m.
“The Phoenician Scheme” Summary:
Positives:
- Wes Anderson’s sets and production design are works of art.
- Lots of funny gags and some really detailed little sight gags.
- Always fun looking out for the numerous cameos.
Negatives:
- The schtick can start to get tiresome. Perhaps one chapter too many.
Review of “The Phoenician Scheme”:
Glorious sets; glorious production design.
As I often do in Wes Anderson’s films, I occasionally gasped at the audacity of the artistry of the sets, colour-pallette and set dressing that he deploys. A high-ceiling view of his bathroom (see picture) is spectacular, with staff bustling around and one laying a bottle of champagne on ice in the bidet!; the cabin of one of his airliners (he gets through quite a few) is jaw dropping; the stage for the finale presentation, a perfect symphony of candy coloured stripes. This is matched with terrific costumes, hair and make-up such that if this doesn’t get a whole heap of technical Oscar nominations then it will be a great crime.
Heaven can Wait.
Too often in Wes Anderson’s films do we leave the main dialogue to disappear down some side-alley (often in black and white) to spout philosophical musings. In “Asteroid City” for example the interesting desert-based story kept getting habitually hijacked by constant cut-aways to the black-and-white ‘making of’ play. Here, the constant near-death experiences of Zsa-zsa Korda regularly take us up to heaven for meetings with his dead wives (one of who I note is Antonia Desplat, daughter of the film’s composer Alexandre Desplat); a court (“I’m not being judged here am I?” asks Korda, lifting his hands to find them in manacles!) and even God (who naturally is Bill Murray!) But all of these are short, sharp segments and add to, rather than detract from, the overall story.
Sooooo many famous faces.
Wes Anderson must have a bulging filofax (he would be a great guest for Michael McIntyre’s “Send to All” game!). And, given the budget of the film won’t run to massive fees, he must be the sort of high-status film-maker that people just say “yes” to as a favour! For this film, as usual, is just stuffed with famous faces. Many of them are “blink and you miss” them. Willem Defoe, for example, only has a couple of lines as the heavenly prosecutor. F. Murray Abraham is one of the supporting prophets, but I’m not even sure he gets a single line! Richard Ayoade was one of my favourites playing a revolutionary leader of a jungle-warfare squad. Riz Ahmed and Jeffrey Wright also make a strong impression.
Of the cast, aside from Benicio Del Toro who is very funny in the lead role, it is Mia Threapleton and Michael Cera who get the most limelight.
Threapleton made her debut in “A Little Chaos” in 2014 at the age of 13, but aside from smaller roles in “Scoop” and “Firebrand“, she’s done very little in movies. So this is a really big break for her and she really impresses with her deadpan delivery. It’s very funny how she keeps getting plied with increasingly stronger liquor while being reassured that it’s not “strong liquor”.
Michael Cera (“Scott Pilgrim” and of course Allan in “Barbie“) is also great playing Bjorn, the bug-obsessed and Liesl-obsessed tutor who may or may not be who he seems to be.
A lot to laugh at.
Anderson’s script has a lot of funny lines that made me laugh out loud on several occasions. He also puts in so many sight gags, some involving such tiny writing that you either need to see this on a big screen or else a 4K copy at home where you can pause and analyse the screens! I liked, during a post-plane-crash sequence, a red light hanging from the ceiling saying “Plane Light: Emergency Use Only”.
Anderson is also famous for his use of camera pans, a gimmick that he can sometimes over-use. Here, I think he keeps it under control which makes the times he does use it more effective. One very funny moment is where Liesl slaps Korda in the face and the camera sharply swings to show an emotionless Jeffrey Wright as Marty, one of the busines partners. And repeat.
Is 90 minutes of Wes Anderson enough?
The film is only 101 minutes long, which is fine, but a Wes Anderson film feels like a very chocolate dessert that is best experiences in small servings. As some of the chapters of the film work better than others (a dam one with Scarlett Johannson was a bit of a bust for me) I would have approved of excising some of the dead-wood and bringing the run time down to a neat 90 minutes.
Summary Thoughts on “The Phoenician Scheme”
For cinephiles who want to appreciate the art of film-making, a Wes Anderson film is ALWAYS worth going to see. But I sometimes struggle to recommend his films to a general audience looking for ‘entertainment’. With “The Phoenician Scheme” I think for the first time in a long time I can do that. Granted it is sophisticated and slightly highbrow entertainment. But I think a lot more people will enjoy this one than “Asteroid City“, which I remember got lambasted by my fellow critic Scott Forbes on our “Flickering Dreams” review of the film! Well worth your time and I was pleased to see how full my Everyman screening was for the early evening showing.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “The Phoenician Scheme”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRAnphZLAIg.
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