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Chicago Tribune
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
‘The Phoenician Scheme' review: Wes Anderson and Co. embark on an elaborate save-a-soul mission
A peculiar tension exists inside nearly every frame created by writer-director Wes Anderson. The geometric visual preoccupation of the framing; the actors, sometimes in motion but more frequently motionless; the manifestation of storytelling as a series of the prettiest shoebox dioramas in modern cinema: It's more than a style or a look to Anderson. It's his way of seeing the world through a lens of comic stoicism, right at the edge of art-installation territory. The tension in those images comes from two places. The unfortunate place: When the comic banter or monologuing strains for laughs, or goes sideways, it sometimes dies an extra, tiny, momentary death because of the arch, extreme formality of the presentation. The more fortunate source of tension is where the actors live. In Anderson's lavishly talented ensembles, the majority of the performers fulfill the basic requirements of being in a Wes Anderson movie, which can involve spitting out long reams of dialogue quickly, directly, without a lot of sauce. It also involves the task of portraying a human in a specific realm of unreality and in a kind of permanent repose, even in motion. But hitting the marks and holding the pose isn't enough. There's movement, of course, in every Anderson comedy, and in the best ones, the movement and the sight gags are funnier because of the stillness surrounding that movement. Whatever you want to call Anderson's universe — I'll go with Deadpandia — it's not easy to activate as a performer. When the right actor wriggles free of the constraints and finds a rhythm, a heartbeat and a human spark, it's magic. Benicio Del Toro is the star of 'The Phoenician Scheme,' Anderson's 12th and latest. But the ringer is Michael Cera, as Norwegian tutor Bjørn Lund, employed as an all-purpose factotum by the shady, swaggering, death-defying entrepreneur played by Del Toro. In one go, Cera joins the top tier of Anderson alums, which includes Ralph Fiennes ('The Grand Budapest Hotel,' 'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar') and, from Anderson's earlier, looser years, Gene Hackman and Anjelica Huston ('The Royal Tenenbaums') and, of course, Bill Murray in everything (he has a brief cameo here, as God). Cera is terrifically subtle in everything he does, from pricelessly cheap dialect humor to sudden bursts of jealousy. He's delightful, even if 'The Phoenician Scheme' is only occasionally that. The movie's largely about other characters. A frequent target of assassins, forever surviving plane crashes in between business deals, Anatole 'Zsa-zsa' Korda (Del Toro) embarks on the riskiest development project of his life, indicated by Anderson's title. It consists of a dam, tunnels, a canal and a general colonialist ravaging of a desert region (fictional, but with plenty of real-world Middle Eastern inspirations). Funding this beast means negotiating with several investors, among them a French nightclub owner (Mathieu Amalric), a pair of American industrialists (Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston) and, above all, Korda's estranged daughter, Liesl, a cynical novitiate and Korda's intended heiress, played by Mia Threapleton. 'The Phoenician Scheme' is a tale of what money can buy, and what money can't. Stringing episodes together, screenwriter Anderson (working from a story co-created by Roman Coppola) treats Korda as a cocky survivor of fabulous riches. Through his adventures in fundraising, and realization that he won't last forever, Korda learns from Liesl a little about what makes a legacy important. Meantime, he negotiates family matters with his 10 young sons and his scowling brother, Uncle Nubar (Benedict Cumberbatch), who may be Liesl's father, and whose massive woodcut of a beard comes straight from Orson Welles' billionaire in 'Mr. Arkadin.' The overall vibe of fishy exoticism owes something to 'Mr. Arkadin' as well. Anderson works here with a cinematographer new to him, the excellent Bruno Delbonnel, shooting on 35mm film. Anderson regulars Adam Stockhausen (production design, first-rate) and Milena Canonero (costume design, brilliant and vibrant as always) evoke a dreamlike 1950s setting in every soundstage-bound detail. And the story? Well, it has a little problem with over-elaboration. 'The Phoenician Scheme' follows a relatively straightforward narrative line, ticking off chapters as Korda addresses each of his prized (and literal) shoeboxes of research and minutiae regarding the massively disruptive, slave labor-dependent construction project. It's easier to parse what's going on here compared to the hyperlinking and layering of 'The French Dispatch' and 'Asteroid City.' But the protagonist is a bit of a bore. And somehow, right now, on planet Earth in 2025, a movie about a craven oligarch on a spree hits a mixed chord, let's say. It is, however, striking to see what happens in the epilogue of this up-and-down Anderson film, when Del Toro — who looks splendid but struggles to locate a lightness of touch the material could use — finally gets a few moments of on-screen relaxation in the epilogue. That's by design: He is not the same person at the end of his story. But I wonder if Anderson erred in maintaining such a tight hold on Del Toro and Threapleton en route to the story destination. A beautiful mixed bag, let's say, all told. But I'll see 'The Phoenician Scheme' a second time sometime for Cera, who will surely return to the Anderson fold. 'The Phoenician Scheme' — 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: PG-13 (for violent content, bloody images, some sexual material, nude images, and smoking throughout) Running time: 1:45 How to watch: Premieres in theaters June 6
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Benedict Cumberbatch calls Michael Cera perfect fit for Wes Anderson in The Phoenician Scheme
Benedict Cumberbatch didn't hold back when praising Michael Cera's debut in Wes Anderson's cinematic world, calling the casting 'divine' and likening it to 'God discovering water.' Speaking at the Cannes press conference for The Phoenician Scheme, Cumberbatch said Cera's offbeat presence was a perfect match for Anderson's symmetrical, stylized filmmaking. His comments were reported by Variety. Cera stars as Bjorn Lund, a shady private tutor entangled in a web of high-society drama. The ensemble cast includes Benicio del Toro as eccentric tycoon Zsa-zsa Korda and Mia Threapleton, who plays his estranged daughter, Sister Liesel — a rebellious, chain-smoking nun. Cumberbatch, reuniting with Anderson after The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, described the new film as feeling like 'home.' Anderson co-wrote The Phoenician Scheme with Roman Coppola. Set partly in Germany, the film adopts a darker tone than some of Anderson's previous work, blending droll humor with melancholic undertones. Richard Ayoade, who appears as a Marxist revolutionary, is also slated to join Anderson and Coppola on their next collaborative project, continuing the creative partnership. Cumberbatch praised Anderson's directing style as 'zen-like,' highlighting the disciplined yet collaborative energy on set. He also spoke highly of working alongside del Toro, calling it a 'phenomenal' experience that pushed him in new ways. Cera, meanwhile, expressed that missing out on Asteroid City was initially 'crushing,' but said The Phoenician Scheme was a 'redeeming' opportunity. The all-star cast is rounded out by Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Scarlett Johansson, and others. Following its world premiere at Cannes, The Phoenician Scheme will open in limited release on May 30, 2025, before expanding to a wide theatrical release on June 6. With critical buzz and a powerhouse ensemble, Anderson's latest may be his most anticipated film since The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Happy Birthday, Wes Anderson! Three underrated films that capture the wry essence of the auteur
Hollywood director Wes Anderson's name has always been synonymous with a droll tweness, and if you call yourself a fan, you must already be familiar with what it feels like to step into one of his carefully curated worlds full of melancholic humour. As the director celebrates another trip around the sun today, turning a ripe 56, here are some of his best renditions of a walk into the trembling psyche of being human in spring colours. Ah, The Royal Tenenbaums, arguably one of Anderson's most popular works that thrust him into the bosom of stardom, this film is an American tragedy wrapped in retro pastels. The story revolves around three emotionally stunted genius siblings whose lives are upended after they hear about their father's (played by Gene Hackman) imminent death. A rich portrayal of the dysfunctional American family, the film captures Anderson's trademark eccentricities while touching upon heavy themes of familial strife with a laughable sense of melancholy. A must-watch if you're down in the dumps, or just want to feel a sense of art-induced mild irony. More for the seasoned fans of Anderson, if you haven't seen The French Dispatch, you're missing out! Set in the city of Ennui, the film follows a three-part narrative that's hard to follow yet indulgent to watch: once you have decided what's happening, it's easy to follow the haphazard flow of the story. As a group of journalists from The French Dispatch newspaper come together to reflect on their recently deceased Editor-in-Chief. The first segment, featuring Benicio Del Toro as a jailed artist, is a deliciously droll portrayal of obsession, love, and bizarre circumstances. It's classic Anderson, but this time, the mundane and the crazy are intertwined, giving us a film that's more about what's not said than what is. Last on the list is Anderson's adaptation of author Roald Dahl's The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. Benedict Cumberbatch plays the titular Henry Sugar, a rich man who, after finding a strange book, decides to learn the mysterious Great Yogi's art of seeing through objects. The result? A whimsical adventure with a bit of charm and a sprinkle of gambling madness, this short film is the perfect example of Anderson's ability to turn a simple story into a world full of absurd wonder. And honestly, you can never go wrong with a Dahl adaptation. So, there you have it, three of Anderson's lesser-known films that you should watch the next time you're in the mood for a new movie! Happy birthday to the king of retro pastel.
Express Tribune
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Wes Anderson's 'The Phoenician Scheme' trailer drops, exploring quirky father-daughter drama
Wes Anderson's latest film, The Phoenician Scheme, has unveiled its trailer, offering a glimpse into a quirky father-daughter drama, absurd action, and an ensemble cast featuring some of Hollywood's biggest names. The film stars Benicio del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda, a powerful European business magnate, and Mia Threapleton as his daughter, Sister Liesel, a nun. The cast also includes Michael Cera as Bjorn Lund, Sister Liesel's tutor, along with Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Jeffrey Wright, Riz Ahmed, Scarlett Johansson, Richard Ayoade, Mathieu Amalric, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Set in Germany, The Phoenician Scheme marks Anderson's latest collaboration with his frequent co-writer, Roman Coppola. The film's score was composed by Alexandre Desplat, a regular collaborator of Anderson's. Known for his distinct visual style, Anderson has consistently created films that are easily recognizable as his own. In a 2023 interview, Anderson remarked that while he doesn't consciously think about his style when creating a film, his voice is evident in each of his works, a sentiment echoed by many viewers and critics alike. The filmmaker, who recently won his first Oscar for the short film The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar in 2024, produced The Phoenician Scheme through American Empirical Pictures. Jeremy Dawson, John Peet, and Steven Rales of Indian Paintbrush also produced, with Focus Features distributing the film. The studio had previously worked with Anderson on films like Asteroid City and Moonrise Kingdom. The Phoenician Scheme is set for a limited release on May 30, with a wider expansion scheduled for June 6.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wes Anderson Reveals Trailer for New Movie The Phoenician Scheme: Watch
The post Wes Anderson Reveals Trailer for New Movie The Phoenician Scheme: Watch appeared first on Consequence. Wes Anderson has revealed the trailer for his new film, The Phoenician Scheme. Described as a dark tale of espionage, The Phoenician Scheme stars Benicio del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda, an international businessman who is among the richest men in Europe. Mia Threapleton and Michael Cera co-star as Korda's daughter Sister Liesl and her tutor Bjorn Lund, respectively. As it is an Anderson affair, his regular collaborators round out the ensemble cast, including Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johannson, Bryan Cranston, Hope Davis, Tom Hanks, and Jeffrey Wright. Along with Cera, Riz Ahmed, Rupert Friend, and Charlotte Gainsbourg will make their first appearances in an Anderson film. The Phoenician Scheme is set for a limited US release on May 30th and will expand further throughout the country on June 6th, via Focus Features. Anderson's most recent release was The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, a short film starring Cumberbatch, in September 2023, later expanding to include three more shorts into an anthology film in 2024. Though Anderson's films have won Oscars in the past for Costume Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, and more, Henry Sugar won the director himself his first statuette in 2024 for Best Live Action Short Film. After watching the trailer, revisit Consequence's 2023 ranking of Anderson's films. Wes Anderson Reveals Trailer for New Movie The Phoenician Scheme: Watch Jaeden Pinder Popular Posts Kanye West Says Wife Bianca Censori Left Him After Trying to Get Him Committed South Park Tackles Diddy, Ketamine, and Canada in Trailer for Season 27: Watch Bill Burr Confronted Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder at SNL50: "I Hated Your Band" Liam Neeson Lets It All Hang Out in New Trailer for The Naked Gun Reboot: Watch White Lotus Characters Ranked By How Much I Hope They Die in the Season 3 Finale Mariah Carey Mortifies Teenage Son By Crashing His Twitch Stream Subscribe to Consequence's email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox.
