The Phoenician Scheme-Review
Wes Anderson is one of those directors where I just compulsively watch the movie. No idea what it’s about, sometimes even if it’s that good. I just watch it. Because the charm of Wes Anderson is inherent to his work, so if you like his films, you should like his films. I felt no hesitation buying my ticket. In fact, before I knew it was Wes Anderson, I didn’t want to see this movie. Complete flip of opinion with two words. But how is The Phoenician Scheme? Does it hold a candle to Anderson’s previous works?
I would say a definitive….yes. Just like and perhaps even more so than Asteroid City, The Phoenician Scheme leans more into the wonder and whimsy of Wes Anderson more than it does the emotive story building we saw in things like Great Budapest Hotel or Moonrise Kingdom (my favorite). And just like Asteroid City, it more or less works out. This feels like a lighter film than that one though and for all it’s little riddles and complexities, the story here is much cleaner too. I admit, I’m not sure if it will have the same kind of staying power, but that’s alright because it’s a different type of story,
The gist of this movie is that it’s about a super rich, super eccentric businessman who’s both an antihero and a lone wolf. Think Elon Musk, but past that he’s nothing like Elon Musk. This is Za Za Korba, played very unnervingly and smoothly by Benecio Del Toro. Great actor. Great part. Za Za Korba is a classic Anderson protoganist. Very sure of himself, answer to everything, intense but ultimately carefree. And yet riddled with personal flaws. He’s a great character because he’s easy to watch and easy to process. In all his antics and insanity, you are able to get a very clear picture of the man underneath.
Another great actor underpinning this film- Mia Threapleton, daughter of the ever illustrious Kate Winslet. This is the first thing I’ve seen her in. But she’s got chops and her dynamic with Del Toro is excellent. She plays Sister Liesl, the daughter of Korba, who, after several failed assassination attempts, decides to rearrange his will and leave his stuff to her. He also leaves her his life’s work, the Phoenician Scheme. Yes, that’s also the title of the movie. You’re a smart one.
The Phoenician Scheme is this master plan from Korba to build trade routes and infrastructure through the Phoenicia region of the Middle East. Phoenicia is this coastal area in the Levant, where parts of modern day Syria and Libya are. It’s a dicey place for sure. Beautiful, but it is in the Middle East. Korba’s plan is very dangerous and complicated for a lot of logistical reasons he lays out and then there’s the issue of the Gap. The Gap is sort of unexplained yet is mentioned constantly. There’s many things I specifically think it could be, but overall I don’t know.
To shore up this scheme, in light of the recent attempts at his life, Korba decides to go to meet with his various business partners and brings Liesl along. The chemistry between Korba and Leisl is very smartly written and engaging. She’s the daughter who barely knows her father but knows him enough to be wary but still present. He’s barely thought of himself as a father at all. It’s a dynamic that unfolds and blooms throughout the film.
I can’t tell if this picture is too big or this shot just looks like that……..Moving on.
Michael Cera is also in this movie and his character is a lot of fun. In his role as Bjørn, a Norwegian entomologist and Korda's administrative assistant, Cera recaptures a lot of the whimsy and humor of his previous roles while also bringing this grown up, worldly eccentricity to his character. His nervous, eager to please personality plays off of Korba and Liesl in a way that feels exactly like what you want in a Wes Anderson movie. It’s crisp, light, fluffy and stylish. These actors are having fun in these roles, even as they lend them some weight.
And with every Wes Anderson film, there’s tons of little “guest star” moments that are awesome. Bryan Cranston and Tom Hanks make a great appearance as some investors in Korba’s scheme. As does Richard Ayoade in his role as a socialist insurgent and Scarlotte Johannson as Other people who play very minor roles include Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Bill Murray and F. Murray Abraham. Take your eyes off the screen and you might miss one. It’s a dense and rich film that has no lack of talent backing it and it shows in every frame.
And of course, Benedict Cumberbatch as Uncle Nubar. He’s not actually around that much but his 10-ish minutes of screen time is utterly terrifying. It’s Cumberbatch as we’ve never seen him, unhinged, locked in and ungodly. This role is one you literally can’t overact in, it’s so intense. Nubar shares a lot of the DNA (character wise) as Korba. But he’s worse. This dude is a psychopath. He’s really not that funny but has an uncomfortable gravity that sucks you in. You know how they say “there’s no light in their eyes.” This is the same concept but the opposite. Nubar stares at the world as if his eyes are light and he’s seeing everything. His worldview is dangerously absolute.
Korba, of course, puts it best- “He’s not human. He’s Biblical.”
This film is interesting because for a Wes Anderson film that could easily be sad, it’s not….really. I mean there are traces of sadness, Loss is always a theme. Death. Endings. But it’s not heartbreaking or tragic. It’s actually kind of sweet and endearing. It’s a story of growth, rising and falling. All told in this whimsical topsy turvy way that carries you along. It wasn’t long and it didn’t really feel long, but it most importantly, it never felt boring.
The Phoenician Scheme is a great watch. It’s some very good Wes Anderson and it expands his mythology in new and interesting ways. It’s not his best work, but it doesn’t need to be and it’s a fun way to spend an evening and feel a bit boujee too. Wine might be too much, but a little gin and some tonic could really hit the spot for this film. Trust me.
