The Phoenician Scheme

With this latest tale Wes Anderson firmly retains his crown as a  preeminent  director who has consistently created his own unique cinematic world. In this mostly hilariously convoluted story in which none of the numerous eminent cast ever cracks a smile, Anderson creates (as usual) an unlikely, (is there such a thing in his cinematic world?)  With his customary stunning attention to detail, unique set design, color palette and odd structure, he is here in full song.  Set in the 1950’s this tale of industrialist and financier Anatole "Zsa-Zsa" Korda, a ruthless yet charismatic business tycoon, expertly played by Benicia del Toro narrowly survives an assassination attempt. While unconscious, he enters the afterlife, where a divine court judges his worthiness to enter Heaven. Knowing he cannot run from assassins forever, Korda tries to mend his testy relationship with his only daughter, Catholic novice  Sister Liesl, startlingly played by Mia Threapleton, trying to get her to quit the church and take over his business. Governments around the world band together to stop Korda's unethical business practices. This is only slight sketch of the plot  which becomes more and more dizzyingly convoluted, giving the many members of what is becoming his repertory cast including:  Michael Cera, Tom Hanks,Bryan Cranston,Richard Ayoade, Jefferey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbach, Hope Davis,Bill Murray, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Willem Dafoe and F. Murray Abraham, plenty of rapid fire rotating appearances  with many funny asides. It is once again a breathless endeavor that Anderson has brought to life which might require more than one viewing to absorb.     658 stars