‘The Phoenician Scheme' review: Benicio del Toro grounds the latest Wes Anderson whimsy
In the entry on Wes Anderson in The New Biographical Dictionary of Film (2004), British critic David Thomson said about the American filmmaker: 'Watch this space. What does that mean? That he might be something someday.'
This brutal, terse dismissal came after such well-regarded films as The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004). The relentless whimsy, the meticulously designed and colour-coded sets that resemble dollhouses or model building kits, the grown-ups who behave like brilliant but emotionally stunted children, the gnomic humour – Anderson annoys some viewers but also has a loyal fan base.
His latest film is equally divisive.
The Phoenician Scheme is something of a return to form after the follies The French Dispatch (2021) and Asteroid City (2023). The new film isn't at the level of Anderson's superb The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), but at least it's grounded in something resembling the present.
In the 1950s, the industrialist Anatole Korda (Benicio del Toro) decides to pass on his fortune to his daughter, Liesl (Mia Threapleton), who is training to be a nun. Liesl does not cast aside her habit but nevertheless starts following her father as he tries to fund his ambitious Korda Land and Sea Phoenician Infrastructure Scheme.
The project claims to bring immense wealth to an underexploited region. Like the buccaneers before him and the Silicon Valley bros after him, Korda promises more than he can deliver. Underfunded and overleveraged – it is debatable what remains for Liesl to inherit – Korda charms an array of investors while dodging assassination attempts by his rivals.
Within the predictable quirkiness is a cautionary tale about Western conquerors setting off to conquer far-off lands about which they know little and care even less. The film ever-so glancingly addresses American-style expansionism, whose effects are ricocheting within the present-day boundaries of the place that Korda seeks to exploit.
The 105-minute confection is written by Anderson and based on a story by him and Roman Coppola. The packaging is typically impeccable: gorgeous production design by Adam Stockhausen, precise camerawork by Bruno Delbonnel, a charming score by Alexander Desplat. Korda's up-down relationship with Liesl creates tension within the perfectly symmetrical sets, also giving the 105-minute film something of an emotional core, especially in its dying moments.
The cast has a staggering number of cameos, from Tom Hanks and Riz Ahmed to Scarlett Johansson and Benedict Cumberbatch. Michael Cera creates an impression as Korda's mysterious secretary. The film belongs to a lovely Benicio del Toro, who has a solidity that weights Korda, a sense of enigma that makes him unpredictable and the sleekness that befits a man with nine lives.
The deceitful but also remorseful Korda's wheeling-dealing pauses only to build bridges with his estranged daughter. Del Toro creates layers of depth in a film that gives the illusion of being something more than the sum of its neatly assembled parts.
Play
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Value on things': Meghan Markle says Archie and Lilibet sell garden veggies; Privileged kids must learn worth
Picture source: Instagram Meghan Markle has said her children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet sell fruits and vegetables from their home garden at a local farmers' market in California. Speaking on a podcast with British businesswoman Emma Grede, Duchess of Sussex, 43, said she and Prince Harry wanted their children to understand the cost of things, especially because they were from a privileged household. "There's a cost and a price for things, and I think that's key for children to understand, especially children who are very lucky to have a home that has privilege," Meghan said. "You need to know that just like manners and taking care of things around you, there is a value on things." Meghan, Duchess of Sussex: Why Ambition Is Her Jam | Aspire with Emma Grede The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also involve their children in gardening at home. Meghan said this helps them learn patience and appreciate where their food comes from. "Gardening is really, really so great for children," she added. Earlier, Meghan had posted a picture of their beagle, Mia, next to a basket of fresh produce from their garden. She also mentioned that she often uses these vegetables to prepare lunchboxes for Archie and Lilibet. "I love it at the end of a long day. The kids are in bed by around 7. I go downstairs, have a glass of wine, and prepare their lunch. I find joy in it — it can be therapeutic. That, for me, is one of my simple pleasures," she said.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
US Singer Chris Brown Pleads Not Guilty In UK Assault Case
American R&B singer Chris Brown on Friday pleaded not guilty in a UK court to a charge stemming from an alleged London nightclub brawl in 2023. Brown, 36, wearing a dark suit and tie as well as glasses, stood in the dock in London as the charge was put to him, replying: "Not guilty, ma'am." The singer, who is on £5 million ($6.7 million) bail, waved to people in the public gallery as he left, following his plea to allegedly attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. A five-to-seven-day-long trial was scheduled to start on October 26, 2026. The singer was held in custody for nearly a week in May after he was arrested in the northwestern city of Manchester. He was later released on bail. Under the terms of his bail, he will forfeit the £5 million guarantee if he fails to return for court proceedings. He was also given the go-ahead to continue his scheduled international tour which began on June 8 in Amsterdam. The star, who had a troubled relationship with Barbadian singer Rihanna, is on the UK leg of his tour, with his next date in London on Saturday. Brown is charged with attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to an assault in which the victim was allegedly struck several times with a bottle before being pursued, punched and kicked. The alleged incident took place at a nightclub in Hanover Square in London on February 19, 2023 while Brown was touring in the UK. Grammy winner Police detained him in the early hours of May 13 at a five-star hotel in Manchester after he reportedly flew in by private jet. Other bail terms include that he should surrender his passport if he is not travelling. He is also required to live at a specific address known to the court and is not permitted to visit the nightclub where the alleged assault took place or contact the alleged victim, Abraham Diah. He appeared in the dock with co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, a US national, with whom he is jointly charged. Akinlolu also entered a not guilty plea to the same charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. Both men are also jointly charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. They will enter pleas to that charge on July 11, the court was told. Brown also faces a third charge of having an offensive weapon, a bottle, in public. The Grammy-winning singer is known for mid-2000s hits such as "Kiss, Kiss". He rose from a local church choir in Virginia to sudden fame with his rich R&B voice and later rap, but his reputation has been tarnished by the allegations of abuse. He is also scheduled to perform in France, Portugal and the US later in the year, before the tour wraps up in Memphis in mid-October.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Priya Sachdev looks devastated as she breaks down in tears at husband Sunjay Kapur's funeral in New Delhi
The sudden demise of industrialist Sunjay Kapur in 2025, following a bizarre accident involving a bee sting during a polo match, has deeply impacted many. His funeral in New Delhi saw an outpouring of grief, with his wife, Priya Sachdev, visibly heartbroken. Ex-wife Karisma Kapoor, along with their children and other family members, were also present to pay their respects. Industrialist Sunjay Kapur's untimely death has sent shockwaves through both business and social circles. The 2025 tragedy, marked by a bizarre and heartbreaking turn of events, has not only left a family shattered but also stirred public emotion across the country. As his loved ones came together for his final rites in New Delhi, all eyes were on his grieving wife, Priya Sachdev, who made her first public appearance since the loss, visibly broken and inconsolable. Check out the photo here: Karisma Kapoor , Sunjay Kapur's second wife, was seen at the funeral alongside their children, Kiaan and Samaira. Also spotted for the first time since Sunjay's untimely demise was his third wife, Priya Sachdev. The last rites took place on June 19, 2025, at Lodhi Road Cremation Ground in New Delhi. Dressed in white, Priya appeared visibly heartbroken as she arrived for the ceremony, breaking down in tears. Sunjay and Priya, who married in 2017, share a son named Azarias. Sunjay's funeral was reportedly delayed due to formalities related to his British citizenship. It was Priya Sachdev's father who had earlier confirmed that the last rites would be held in New Delhi. Sunjay's ex-wife, Karisma Kapoor, attended the funeral with their children, Kiaan and Samaira. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan were also present. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Rio De Janeiro (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo In one emotional moment, Karisma was seen consoling a tearful Kiaan as he broke down during his father's final rites. Kapur married Karisma Kapoor in 2003, but the couple separated in 2014 and were officially divorced by 2016. A year later, Sunjay tied the knot with Priya Sachdev. An Indian-American businesswoman, Priya began her career as a financial analyst before returning to India to manage her family's venture, The Sachdev Group—one of the country's leading automobile dealerships. In the 2000s, Priya made brief appearances in advertisements and even shared screen space with Kareena. She was also featured in leading fashion magazines like Elle and Cosmopolitan. Priya had a small role in the Bollywood film Neal 'n' Nikki. Meanwhile, on June 12, 2025, the nation was shaken by news of the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash. Around the same time, Sunjay Kapur took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his shock and grief over the incident. Just hours later, reports began circulating about his sudden death. Initially, the cause remained unclear, with his company, Sona Comstar, confirming that he had suffered a heart attack. However, later reports revealed that Sunjay had accidentally swallowed a bee while playing polo, which likely triggered a severe allergic reaction, leading to cardiac arrest. An eyewitness told The Telegraph that Sunjay had mentioned swallowing something shortly before he collapsed.
