Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme features showstopping performances by Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, and Michael Cera.
No one has ever doubted that they are watching a Wes Anderson film while doing so. He has an extremely unique and very obvious style, which is one of the things I love most about his work. Wes Anderson movies are always absolutely gorgeous, and The Phoenician Scheme is no different. While it is not my favorite film of his (that honor goes to The Grand Budapest Hotel with Isle of Dogs immediately behind it), I do think it is some of his best work.
The Phoenician Scheme Movie Review
Every movie of his has a stacked and insanely talented cast. Some of the best working actors today might show up in the movie for less than five minutes (as Scarlett Johansson does in this one), but that does not mean they don’t give it their all.
Benicio del Toro leads The Phoenician Scheme, along with Mia Threapleton and Michael Cera. All three performances are the best I have ever seen from these actors, which says a lot. They are truly showstopping and completely captivating, knowing exactly how to keep the audience engaged and intrigued.
Cera, in particular, should be applauded as, without spoilers, he goes through a small change at one point and somehow becomes even funnier. He was the perfect choice to play Bjorn. I absolutely must know what it was like to be handling all those bugs constantly.
Benicio del Toro’s portrayal of a man who has been raised to be… not so great, and the way he is passing that along to his children, is one that many of us can relate to. It is the age-old theory of nature versus nurture. A truly brilliant performance.
This might be Mia Threapleton’s first time in a Wes Anderson film, but you would never know it. She fits into this world perfectly, delivering a performance that is simultaneously lacking in emotion (per Anderson’s style) and interesting. She knocks this one out of the park.
As always, this Wes Anderson movie is filled to the brim with movie stars. Some pop in for just one scene, but every one of them leaves a lasting impression. One of my favorite sequences includes Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston. I was laughing so hard my cheeks hurt. This scene is one of the best in the film because it is so ridiculous, yet fun. The dry humor that Wes Anderson films are known for oozes through this scene.
Of course, the aesthetic that Anderson is known for can be recognized in every scene in The Phoenician Scheme as well. From the sets, to the costumes, even down to the hair and makeup, this film screams Wes Anderson.
This movie comes out swinging, with a shocking event setting the tone for it right out of the gate. From that very moment on, I was clinging to the edge of my seat. While I did enjoy Anderson’s last few films, this one is my favorite of the bunch. It is fun, witty, charming, and bizarre – just like most of his movies – but it is the cast performances that truly elevate to something special.
While there are a few dull moments, they never last long and are almost always met with something thrilling and exciting at the end. The Phoenician Scheme is quirky, fun, and wholeheartedly Wes Anderson.
The Phoenician Scheme comes to theaters on June 6, and if you are a Wes Anderson fan, I highly recommend seeing it on the big screen.
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The Phoenician Scheme comes to theaters everywhere on June 6.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.