Movies

Is Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme a Star-Studded Flop or a Whimsical Delight?

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As a lifestyle aficionado, I’m excited to share that the dazzling spectacle of the Cannes Film Festival winds down this weekend, yet surprisingly, two of the films that made their grandest debuts there are now gracing the silver screens in the UK.

Unfortunately, one’s a bit of a dud while the other is rather a drag.

The Phoenician Scheme

Verdict: Far too whimsical 

The Phoenician Scheme is the newest film by renowned filmmaker Wes Anderson, featuring an exceptional ensemble cast. Benicio del Toro takes the lead, while Tom Hanks, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, and Bryan Cranston are among the notable actors in supporting roles.

As for Anderson’s films, I’ve found they’re akin to Marmite – they either captivate people or leave them cold. Yet, just like with Marmite, one might grow weary over time and find themselves appreciating his work less.

I found Rushmore (1998) and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) captivating, but The French Dispatch (2021) and Asteroid City (2023), as per Wes Anderson’s style, came across as overly self-indulgent and confusing displays of whimsy. These movies seemed like explorations of Anderson’s imaginative mind, yet for me, they felt more like rides I wished to disembark from rather than enjoy the journey.

Regarding the Phoenician Scheme, unfortunately it doesn’t bring anything new to the table. However, it must be said that it’s always visually pleasing. Moreover, its initial part is brilliantly amusing, but it quickly loses steam afterwards.

In the vein of Asteroid City, this location is a throwback to the 1950s. It showcases Wes Anderson’s signature elements, notably the stylized, affected dialogue, decor, and costumes that have come to define his work.

In my narrative, I delve into the thrilling tale of a cunning business magnate, Zsa-Zsa Korda (del Toro), who seems to outwit every assassination attempt that comes his way. This wealthy character is father to nine sons, but only one daughter, Liesl, portrayed effectively by Mia Threapleton, Kate Winslet’s daughter. Despite their strained relationship, it is Liesl who has been chosen as Korda’s potential successor, should his adversaries manage to bring about his demise.

Clearly, the actors are enjoying themselves immensely as Korda travels globally, aiming to connect with his daughter, securing investors for his questionable venture, and outsmarting would-be assassins.

I can picture the joy that comes with being in a Wes Anderson movie, but personally, they don’t bring me as much enjoyment as they used to.

 

Verdict: Impossibly long

Mission: Impossible – The Last Stand could be even more thrilling if it weren’t so lengthy, running nearly three hours. In this installment, Tom Cruise with his trademark floppy hair portrays Ethan Hunt of the Impossible Mission Force. He traverses the world yet again, aiming to rescue it one more time, this time from a malevolent piece of artificial intelligence named The Entity.

One remarkable high-flying stunt stands out, where Hunt hangs onto a biplane’s wings amidst the clouds over South Africa. Regrettably, Christopher McQuarrie’s film spends too much time being overly serious and weighty, instead of providing lighthearted, playful entertainment.

It’s possible McQuarrie thought a massive $400 million budget warranted an equally expansive runtime? In any case, he could have trimmed around 30 minutes by eliminating nearly all mentions of the world being on the brink of disaster. Ultimately, you might find yourself hoping it would simply collapse by the end.

 

Verdict: Overflows with fun

In a more casual and straightforward manner: Guy Ritchie excels at directing the action-thriller titled “Fountain of Youth,” featuring a humorous storyline. Notably, it avoids being overly dramatic.

As a devoted admirer, I can confidently say that John Krasinski’s charming, witty portrayal of Luke, a cunning art thief, really steals the show. My relationship with his character is like a rollercoaster, filled with endless banter and squabbles with his sister Charlotte (Natalie Portman), a diligent museum curator.

It appears that Luke has been stealing artworks from great artists such as Rembrandt and Rubens, with the intention that these pieces will ultimately guide him towards the mysterious potion said to extend life, which is needed urgently by his ailing wealthy benefactor (Domhnall Gleeson).

The author, by the way, is James Vanderbilt – a member of the illustrious Vanderbilt industrialist family. Tragically, his great-grandfather perished on the Lusitania in 1915. Remarkably, he weaves this historical event into his storytelling, creating an intriguing blend of fact and imagination.

Fountain Of Youth is on Apple TV+. 

A longer review of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning ran last week.

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2025-05-23 02:24

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