Filmmaker Wes Anderson (Asteroid City, The French Dispatch) is one that has many fans for his storytelling, which is not simple and formulaic. Even with the very brief synopsis provided in the press invitation, as simple as it is without spoilers, it is not. This is the simple synopsis: “The story of a family and a family business.” While this may satisfy some people who enter a film with little to no information before paying for a ticket to see a film, other film fans may want more. The lengthier synopsis available online describes it as: “Wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists and determined assassins.”
This drama about Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro), one of the richest men in Europe, is anything but drab and boring, as it does include action and comedy, but not always in a manner that you are accustomed to viewing in franchise, romantic comedies, or superhero films, to name a few. Even though there is physical or other humor that may be called “goofy”, don’t be fooled by what appears on the surface as there are some important themes within Anderson’s story.
Korda’s history of manipulation and other actions in his negotiations viewed negatively by the other parties have led to various assassination attempts by either one or multiple individuals/organizations. After Korda survives the last attempt, an airplane crash, he decides to take action to put his affairs in order and contacts his one daughter, a nun Sister Liesl (Mia Threapleton, Scoop, “Dangerous Liaisons” TV series). The nine sons he has do not appear to be of age to take over, and they are a variety of individuals. Bjorn Lund (Michael Cera) is their tutor, later seen to be tasked with other duties.
Sister Liesl may appear reluctant to accept her father’s offer, but he wants his latest project to be completed. She agrees to learn what needs to be done and goes on a trip with him to contact multiple sources to fund his idea. To name a few, Prince Farouk (Riz Ahmed), two brothers Leland (Tom Hanks) and Reagan (Bryan Cranston), nightclub owner Marseille Bob (Mathieu Amalric), the American Marty (Jeffrey Wright), his cousin Hilda (Scarlett Johansson) and Korda’s half-brother, Uncle Nubar (Benedict Cumberbatch).
Michael Cera fits in perfectly in Anderson’s world, giving a phenomenal performance as the tutor who later reveals his other skills and abilities to Korda and Sister Liesl, who are excellent and great together as these characters. Cera can easily be a favorite actor/character of the film. I have no doubt he will appear in a future Anderson film.
Korda faces his end repeatedly and every time arrives in a Heaven – like setting, he faces various characters which provide something to think about.
Cast: Richard Ayoade, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Willem Dafoe, Aysha Joy Samuel, Imad Mardnli, Tonio Arango and Bill Murray as God.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 The Phoenician Scheme opens in Austin on Friday, June 6.
Source: Focus Features
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