The Phoenician Scheme (2025)

Unlike a few of the more recent Wes Anderson films, I thought this had more of a substantial story to underpin the antics as it follow the quite literally death-defying activities of entrepreneur “Korda” (Benicio del Toro). Now he’s made his squillions somewhat disreputably and has frequently been the target of assassins, so after this latest attempt sees him face down in the desert, he decides it’s time to make his will. He has loads of sons but just one daughter. She’s a nun, sworn to holy orders and is called “Liesl” (Mia Threapleton). Now she’s not the sort of “Liesl” we saw with Julie Andrews, this one is ruthlessly savvy and switched on as her father embarks on his most ambitious, secretive and toxic scheme yet - and that’s only going to further irk “Excalibur” (Rupert Friend) whom we know is running the “SPECTRE” style organisation determined to thwart his plans and see him six feet under. I suppose the snag with this film is that it isn’t so radically different, stylistically, from any of his recent stuff nor does the presence of his usual slew of Willem Dafoe, Scarlett Johansson and Tom Hanks et al really offer us much by way of different or substantial characterisations for us to really get our teeth into, and that predictability also impacts a bit on the frankly “Monty Python” style of the humour, but del Toro owns the film well from start to finish and along the way it takes a pop at the vested interest, industrial exploitation and the abusive power of self interest as it moves along entertainingly and in a more logical manner. It hits the ground running and rarely pauses for breath as it reminded me more of “Grand Budapest Hotel” (2014) than “Asteroid City” (2023). For my money, it’s still not as good as Anderson’s earlier more creatively innovative work, but it is still a fun ensemble effort that benefits from some gorgeous production design and a never ending supply of band-aids.