The Phoenician Scheme (2025)

Picturesque, unknowable, and replete with wit, like all of Wes Anderson’s works, The Phoenician Scheme is an ornate visual feast that goes down with the smoothness of a well-whipped tiramisu, albeit a shallow bite.
 
 I like how much clout auteurs like Anderson have accumulated that all these A-list actors were just throwing themselves at his feet to be included, even for tiny roles. Every scene brings a nice new big name surprise. 

However, I personally have not been able to resonate well with the underlying themes of the story, which to me just never quite cohere into something tangible. I enjoyed it, and laughed (quit hard) at Bryan Cranston and Tom Hanks as iconic basketball duos, at Mia Threpleton’s communion wine to pipe and whiskey shot conversation, and at Michael Cera’s rendition of “girls becomes hot after taking off glasses”, but I’m pretty sure this story won’t stay with me in a couple of weeks. I suppose this is what writing is for, to crystallize these small things that make me smile and easy to revisit after my memory has long let them go.