The Phoenician Scheme

The Phoenician Scheme

A Meticulous, All-Star Return to Traditional Comedy

★★★½☆

One of Anderson's stronger projects, focusing on delivery of laughs over eccentric set-ups.

The Phoenician Scheme is a meticulous and amusing film from Wes Anderson. Anchoring the story is Benicio Del Toro as Anatole Korda, a corrupt industrialist navigating quirky near-death experiences and a strained relationship with his estranged daughter. Unlike some of his previous work, Anderson seems content with a more comedic tale this time, blending his signature aesthetic with a traditional, crowd-pleasing narrative.

"Mia Threapleton excellently nails the tone of Wes Anderson's style... she amusingly navigates the plot with muted looks and reserved expressions."

— Review Perspective

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Wes Anderson
• Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera
• Ensemble: Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Riz Ahmed
• Cinematography: Robert Yeoman

The Vision

The film is a star-making turn for Mia Threapleton, who provides the emotional reservedness that anchors Anderson's highly stylized world. Michael Cera adds a layer of charming reserve to the ensemble, while Del Toro provides the affable grounding needed for the industrialist plot. While it doesn't quite hit the heights of The Grand Budapest Hotel, it is a triumph of humorous storytelling over mere visual eccentricity.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Spy Roots: The script was co-written by Roman Coppola and is described as a "father-daughter espionage adventure."
• German Production: The film was shot extensively at Studio Babelsberg in Germany, a frequent home for Anderson’s meticulously constructed sets.
• Cast Reunion: This marks the first time Michael Cera has worked with Wes Anderson, though he joins a massive roster of regular collaborators like Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston.

✅ Pros

• More focused on comedic delivery than previous efforts.
• Breakout performance from Mia Threapleton.
• Trademark visual gags and production design are as sharp as ever.

❌ Cons

• Doesn't quite reach the "masterpiece" status of Grand Budapest.

🏆 Final Verdict

A strong, repeat-viewing entry in the Wes Anderson filmography. It’s a delightful journey that uncovers deeper layers with every watch—a must-see for fans of the director's unique brand of whimsy.

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