Wes Anderson's 'Phoenician Scheme' Is Money All It's Cracked Up to Be?

Wes Anderson, the maestro of meticulously crafted cinematic universes, returns with 'The Phoenician Scheme,' a film that peers into the gilded cages of extreme wealth and the moral compromises they often entail.

While Anderson's signature style remains instantly recognizable, this latest offering distinguishes itself from its predecessor, Asteroid City. Both films are set in the 1950s, yet 'The Phoenician Scheme' exchanges the warm, nostalgic Americana for a more global, and notably colder, landscape.

At the heart of the story is Anatole "Zsa-zsa" Korda, played with compelling charisma by Benicio Del Toro. Korda is a titan of industry, a dashing scoundrel who jets around the world, amassing wealth, forging deals, and making enemies with equal abandon.

His activities include:

• Destabilizing governments
• Exploiting local workers
• Generally behaving like a quintessential international man of mystery.

Korda, now seeking to establish a lasting legacy, embarks on an ambitious infrastructure project in a fictional locale called Modern Greater Independent Phoenicia. To realize this vision, he seeks to reconcile with his estranged daughter, Liesl, portrayed by a captivating Mia Threapleton. Liesl, the eldest of Korda's ten children, was abandoned to a convent at a young age and now grapples with her father's dubious ethics and a dark rumor surrounding her mother's death.

Like many of Anderson's films, 'The Phoenician Scheme' explores complex family dynamics, specifically the strained relationship between father and daughter. Liesl reluctantly agrees to participate in Korda's scheme, hoping to exert some positive influence. This sets the stage for a series of elaborate encounters with Korda's associates and family members, each vying for a piece of the Phoenician pie. The film boasts an ensemble cast including:

• Tom Hanks
• Bryan Cranston
• Mathieu Amalric
• Jeffrey Wright
• Bill Murray
• Scarlett Johansson
• Richard Ayoade
• Hope Davis

Adding fresh energy to the mix, Riz Ahmed shines as a charming Phoenician prince, and Michael Cera delivers a delightful performance as a quirky Norwegian entomologist. But it's Threapleton who truly captivates, channeling the radiant self-possession reminiscent of Anna Karina.

While Anderson's films often touch upon themes of spirituality and morality, 'The Phoenician Scheme' directly confronts the tension between faith and wealth. The father-daughter dynamic serves as a metaphor for the conflict between Korda's relentless pursuit of riches and Liesl's unwavering commitment to social justice.

Beneath its stylized veneer, the film offers a timely commentary on the excesses and moral compromises of the ultra-wealthy. Despite the whimsical touches, 'The Phoenician Scheme' presents a surprisingly bleak portrayal of opulent settings: the cold fortress of a rich man, a half-finished railway tunnel, a lavish yet soulless nightclub. These backdrops underscore the hollowness that can pervade extreme wealth. This is arguably one of Anderson's darker and more violent works. The opening scene involves a bombing intended for Korda, who remains strangely nonchalant about the threats to his life.

The film acknowledges the detrimental impact of figures like Korda on society. The ending, however, presents a somewhat perplexing shift, with Korda experiencing a sudden change of heart. This conclusion invites both hopeful and cynical interpretations: perhaps only a divine intervention could inspire such a transformation in the "Zsa-zsa" Kordas of the world.

'The Phoenician Scheme' is more than just a visually stunning cinematic experience; it's a thought-provoking exploration of wealth, morality, and the potential for redemption, however improbable it may seem. It leaves you pondering the responsibilities that come with immense power and the elusive nature of true legacy. Anderson has once again delivered a film that is as beautiful to look at as it is rich with meaning.

Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/05/30/nx-s1-5409087/wes-anderson-the-phoenician-scheme-review