‘The Phoenician Scheme’ Review: Wes Anderson Still Has It

The Phoenician Scheme marks the twelfth feature from acclaimed auteur Wes Anderson. Known for his vibrant color palettes, perfectionism, and symmetrical frames, I am happy to say The Phoenician Scheme fits in perfectly with the rest of his work. That does not mean it does not stick out. The film follows Zsa-zsa Korda, a slightly corrupt businessman, who after a near death experience, embarks on a new business venture. Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun named Liesl, the heir to his estate and takes her on this business trip as a trial run to see if she is fit to take over. Filled with Anderson’s signature dark, quirky humor, some surprising gore, and standout performances, The Phoenician Scheme is proof that Wes still has it. Read our full review of The Phoenician Scheme below. 

We can all also finally rejoice in the fact that Michael Cera is in a Wes Anderson movie. Every choice, every accent, every movement is so fully realised and understanding of what is required in an Anderson film. It just makes sense for this to be a perfect pair. My only hope is for Cera to lead a Wes Anderson movie someday. Other than Cera, Mia Threapelton is the clear standout. Threapleton plays the daughter of our main character Zsa-zsa Korda, the nun Zsa-zsa plans to leave his entire estate to. Like other Anderson movies, The Phoenician Scheme asks its actors to play it completely deadpan and unfeeling. Threapleton leans into this requirement, but I found myself feeling way more emotionally invested in her as a character than some of his other protagonists. She has an innate likability, along with a character that is easy to root for, which makes her stand out as a new favorite character in Wes’s filmography. Also, per usual, the rest of the ensemble is fantastic. Specifically, Bryan Cranston and Tom Hanks, who are featured in one of the funniest scenes in the film involving basketball. 

It’s clear that Wes Anderson has been looking more inward with his recent films. The French Dispatch was a love letter to art and felt like Anderson grappling with how his stories will be remembered. Asteroid City was a reflection on the making of art and what happens to it when you are gone. The act of preserving and letting art live on. The Phoenician Scheme is not directly about his art, but is about legacy. What it means to be a powerful person and whether you can be redeemed. It is easier to understand The Phoenician Scheme than the other two works I mentioned, but I still see many layers that are worth discussing. There are many scenes of Zsa-zsa in a heaven like place, where he is basically on trial. In these scenes is where he learns he must give up the idea that material possessions can buy affection, love, or trust. I find this to be an interesting point for Anderson to make since so many of his films are loved because of the material value of the work, such as production design, costumes, or score. I am hoping that this was almost like a therapy session for Anderson and he remembers that he does not need to outdo himself stylistically, but go deeper with the story and character, like in The Grand Budapest Hotel or The Royal Tenenbaums. 

If you are not a fan of Wes Anderson’s other work, just know this will not be the one to change your mind. There is a lot of Anderson negativity floating around in the world right now. When audiences feel like they are watching the same thing over and over again, they begin to pull away, I can’t blame them. But I personally would take a hundred of Wes Anderson’s symmetrical movies over another boring, grey studio movie. I’m not sick of his style yet, who knows if I ever will be, but I do long for the vulnerability of some of his earlier work. There is a coldness on the surface of his last three works. On my first viewing of Asteroid City, I was amazed by the production design and cinematography, but could not fully grasp what Anderson is trying to say. On the second viewing, the candy colored glasses came off and I could understand the message or themes in a deeper manner. Even though I believe I have a better grasp on the themes of this newest work, I think the same will be said for The Phoenician Scheme and for that reason I can’t wait to see it again. 

The Phoenician Scheme is the twelfth film by writer, director Wes Anderson. The film has a huge ensemble, but the major players are Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, and Michael Cera. The Phoenician Scheme was released in theaters worldwide on June 6th. 

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