By: Jamie Steinberg
Wes Anderson is known for his…unique take on filmmaking and he brings his quirky viewpoint to another fantastic movie with The Phoenician Scheme. Sure, there is plenty of physical humor and sight gags, but Anderson also explores deeper themes like family over business and the way those in power often use their sway to manipulate both. However, it’s the incredible actors that Anderson has assembled that truly helps the film shine.
Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) has survived his sixth plane crash. Someone(s) have been trying to kill him for a while now, which convinces him that now is the time to name an heir to his empire. With nine sons (many of them adopted just in case one turns out to be a genius) and one daughter, Liesl (Mia Threapleton), he chooses her to be his successor. Korda then begins teaching her the ins and outs of the company while using her to help negotiate a massive deal (insert a hilariously accented Michael Cera as her tutor). The duo then heads out on a world-wide mission in order to snag the money they will need for funding. Along the way they meet a prince named Farouk (Riz Ahmed), nightclub owner Marseille Bob (Mathieu Amalric), brothers (Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston), an American named Marty (Jeffrey Wright), a cousin named Hilda (Scarlett Johansson) and a memorable Uncle Nubar (Benedict Cumberbatch). Oh, and did I mention Bill Murray tackles the role of God?
Anderson’s best play with the film was casting Michael Cera. His awkward role as a tutor that harbors a secret is absolutely a standout performance. We all know Cera has a penchant for comedy, but here he gets to do some physical comedy as well – showing off some karate moves. Del Toro is an outstanding Korda as well – balancing playing a business tycoon while carefully dancing around a murder-mystery surrounding Liesl’s mother. However, when it comes to the plot Anderson and co-writer Roman Coppola flail a bit as The Phoenician Scheme can’t make up its mind about whether it wants to be a redemption tale for Korda or a Biblical tale to teach him right from wrong.
The Phoenician Scheme uniquely packs heart and humor as a tried-and-true formula for Wes Anderson and delivers on both. I would even go as far as to say it’s actually one of Anerson’s best films to date! Keep an eye on the epilogue of the film to see Del Toro truly shine; however, it is Michael Cera’s performance that has surely ingratiated himself into future Anderson filmography.