Mini Review: Wes Anderson’s ‘The Phoencian Scheme’

In Wes Anderson‘s latest vintage-colored fable, the crafty Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) must reconnect with his daughter, Liesl (Mia Threapleton), to conduct a series of shady business dealings collectively known as the Phoenician Scheme. Aiding father and daughter on their quirky quest is the awkward, yet endearing, Bjorn (Michael Cera) — who acts as an all purpose assistant and tutor in insectology. If this overly verbose and wry description of the film is any indication, The Phoenician Scheme is more about the way the story is told rather than the plot.

That’s not to suggest that the film is all style without soul. Del Toro, Threapleton, and Cera have great comedic chemistry. The film is rich with talented actors like Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bill Murray, Rupert Friend, and Hope Davis. Each of the supporting stars nail their roles no matter how briefly they appear.

However, the real standout performance is Threapleton’s nun. Threapleton will be a fresh face for many and her line delivery has the same deadpan dream-girl appeal of Jenna Ortega‘s Wednesday. I hope to see her starring in more films very soon.

The Phoenician Scheme manages to deliver the sumptuous and symmetrical visuals that Wes Anderson has become known for while incorporating new visual techniques. In the film, we enter surreal “afterlife” sequences reminiscent of Ingmar Bergman‘s The Seventh Seal. The humor is sharp and Anderson explores more pyrotechnics and mayhem than in his previous work. The film is a treat for long time fans of the director’s filmography while also being a welcome first-time introduction to his world.