Wes Anderson’s New Film Sparks Fierce Criticism for Self-Indulgence and Incoherence

Verdict: Far too whimsical

Verdict: Impossibly long **

Verdict: Overflows with fun

Over the upcoming weekend, the Cannes Film Festival will conclude, and surprisingly, two movies that received the most lavish debuts there are currently playing in British cinemas. On the plus side, however, one turns out to be less than impressive, while the other seems quite tedious.

The Phoenician Scheme” is the new production by acclaimed filmmaker Wes Anderson, featuring an exceptional ensemble that includes many familiar faces from his regular acting group. Benicio del Toro takes the lead role, with Tom Hanks, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, and Bryan Cranston among the notable actors contributing to the star-studded supporting cast.

while some find his films irresistible, others can’t stomach them. However, it’s essential to note that taste in art is subjective, and perhaps one’s appreciation for Anderson’s work may evolve over time, much like the acquired taste of Marmite.

I found Rushmore from 1998 and The Grand Budapest Hotel in 2014 to be delightful. However, The French Dispatch in 2021 and Asteroid City scheduled for release in 2023 felt overly self-indulgent, filled with whimsy that didn’t always make sense and was sometimes confusing.

These experiences felt like travels inside Anderson’s remarkably creative mind. Although many were eager to join this adventure, singing praises of his remarkable talent, I, on the other hand, wished to disembark.

Unfortunately, The Phoenician Scheme continues with similar elements, yet it maintains an appealing visual charm. Notably, it boasts a fantastic and genuinely humorous introduction, but it loses momentum after that point.

In the retro atmosphere of a 1950s-style town reminiscent of Asteroid City, the director’s signature style shines through, characterized by the meticulously crafted dialogue, scenery, and costumes that have come to define him.

The title alludes to the ongoing elusive survival of a cunning tycoon named Zsa-Zsa Korda (Del Toro), who consistently evades assassination attempts. Notably, Korda is the father of nine sons, but only one daughter, Liesl.

In this rephrased version, I’ve aimed to maintain the original meaning while using simpler and more natural language for easier reading.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: Mia Threapleton, reminiscent of Kate Winslet, gracefully portrays a novice nun in this production. Regrettably, our relationship is strained, but should his adversaries manage to end his life, it falls upon me to carry on his legacy.

This exceptional ensemble features Michael Cera, Rupert Friend, Riz Ahmed, Willem Dafoe, and F Murray Abraham, each of whom clearly enjoys themselves immensely as Korda jetsets across the globe in an attempt to connect with his daughter, secure financing for his questionable venture, and outsmart assassins.

It’s not hard to envision the joy that comes with being part of a Wes Anderson movie. However, I personally find less amusement these days when I watch his films.

Mission: Impossible – The Last Stand

A more enjoyable watch would be possible if the movie wasn’t excessively lengthy, clocking in at nearly three hours. Our hero, Tom Cruise with his signature tousled hair, portrays Ethan Hunt of the Impossible Missions Force, jetting around the world once again, attempting (for what seems like the hundredth time) to save the planet. This time, he’s targeting a dangerous AI entity known as The Entity, much like the last mission.

One remarkable extended sequence stands out, featuring Hunt hanging onto a biplane’s wings amidst the clouds over South Africa. Regrettably, Christopher McQuarrie’s film spends too much time on heavy self-importance instead of lighthearted fun and adventure, which is what it could have been.

It’s possible that McQuarrie believed that a mammoth $400 million budget should correspond with an equally expansive runtime. However, he could have shortened it significantly by eliminating about 90% of the instances where the world is described as being on the brink of disaster. By the end, you might find yourself hoping for its swift conclusion.

Guy Ritchie delivers a more successful take on the action-thriller “Fountain of Youth,” boasting a humorous premise that never loses its comedic touch. John Krasinski shines as the amusingly self-deprecating lead character, Luke, an art thief, who frequently butts heads with his sister Charlotte (Natalie Portman), a museum curator. This film is particularly noteworthy for its lighthearted tone.

It appears that Luke has been stealing artworks from renowned artists like Rembrandt and Rubens. These pieces are crucial for him as they hold the secret to a legendary potion, which is needed by his ailing wealthy benefactor, Domhnall Gleeson.

The narrative takes inspiration from “The Da Vinci Code” and Indiana Jones films, yet manages to remain engagingly enjoyable, penned by James Vanderbilt, a descendant of the renowned Vanderbilt industrialist family, whose great-great grandfather perished on the Lusitania in 1915.

This episode is significantly impactful within the storyline, representing a striking blend of reality and imagination in an unexpected manner.

The Fountain of Youth can now be found on Apple TV+. Last week, a more detailed critique of Mission: Impossible – Fallout was published.

2025-05-22 23:14

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Wes Anderson’s New Film Sparks Fierce Criticism for Self-Indulgence and Incoherence

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