Wes Anderson’s "The Phoenician Scheme": The Summer’s Most Delightful Action-Comedy
It might sound counterintuitive, but Wes Anderson’s "The Phoenician Scheme" has emerged as this summer’s most delightful action-comedy. Overflowing with zany antics, international intrigue, and a daring anti-hero who cheats death at every peril, this film is nothing short of a whimsical escapade.
A Closer Look at the Plot
Meet Anatole “Zsa-zsa” Korda, a shady industrialist portrayed with charming roguishness by Benicio Del Toro. After surviving his sixth plane crash, Korda becomes a magnet for assassination attempts—with good reason. This morally ambiguous mogul made his fortune from profiting off foreign conflicts and exploitative labor practices. Suddenly, he finds himself unsettled by his close brush with death, leading to a surreal vision of facing judgment in a stark black-and-white afterlife, administered by Anderson’s iconic stock company regulars.
A Family Dynamic Like No Other
Korda’s wake-up call prompts him to make an unprecedented choice: instead of relying on his nine interchangeable sons, he decides to recruit his estranged daughter, Liesl (Mia Threapleton), from a convent to take over as his heir. Together, they embark on a massive, graft-laden infrastructure project in the Middle East, one that leaves Korda a bit financially compromised. His bold proclamation?
“Everything we have, plus a little more.”
High-Stakes Adventure
What ensues is an action-packed globe-trotting adventure featuring a star-studded cast. Korda and Liesl traverse the world, navigating a parade of suspicious investors while dodging everything from bullets to CIA sabotage. They are joined by Michael Cera, playing a Swedish entomologist turned personal valet, whose old tutor met a bombastic end. Cera’s first appearance in an Anderson film feels like a long-overdue collaboration, akin to when Tom Waits joined the Coen brothers in their cinematic universe.
A Standout Performance
Cera steals the show with a comically exaggerated performance, showcasing the kind of rubber-limbed charisma that echoes his unique role in "Twin Peaks". His character’s attempts to woo the pious Liesl produce some of the film’s biggest laughs, while Threapleton impresses as the initially icy nun thawing into a more relatable individual.
The Charismatic Anti-Hero
Del Toro’s Korda embodies Anderson’s penchant for colorful scoundrels—he’s gruff, endearing, and hilariously full of himself, reminiscent of characters like Royal Tenenbaum and Mr. Fox. This role was clearly crafted for Del Toro, showcasing his magnetic charm and the sly humor he brings to every scene.
The Wes Anderson Aesthetic
As Anderson’s films have evolved, they now resemble elaborate dollhouses, straddling the line between live action and stop-motion animation. In "The Phoenician Scheme," the emotional arcs may seem muted amidst the visual distractions, yet they remain present and engaging. While past characters were buoyed by an upbeat soundtrack, the film instead relies on visual comedy and quick-witted dialogues to convey deeper themes.
Feminine Power and Quirky Humor
Rather than the heavier themes found in Anderson’s past work, "The Phoenician Scheme" revels in gags and slapstick humor. A particularly well-timed scene with a plane’s ejector seat drew unexpected laughter during press screenings, showcasing the film’s lighthearted tone while hinting at an emotional father-daughter relationship beneath the surface. Liesl, with her alluring new style, might be just as flawed as her father, opening the door for unexpected depth in their dynamic.
A Heartfelt Conclusion
The film’s concluding scenes challenge the viewer’s perceptions of true success and fulfillment. In a surprising twist, Korda’s journey hints at a potential for growth—one where an obscenely wealthy mogul tools his way toward finding contentment in small acts of kindness.
Can such a lavish lifestyle truly lead to happiness? Perhaps that’s a fantasy unique to the cinematic world—and one that leaves audiences reflecting long after the credits roll.
“The Phoenician Scheme” is now in theaters.
