Writer/Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Benicio Del Toro and Scarlett Johansson
‘A Mesmerizing Masterpiece’
Not many stars in Hollywood catch attention of people like Benedict Cumberbatch. Ever since his fame in the 1990’s, Cumberbatch has become a bold icon. Whether it’s bold political leaders, strong sorcerers or action heroes, Cumberbatch has portrayed several bold characters. Arguably, Cumberbatch’s strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. His is one of those rare actors which has poured his heart and soul into every role. Even when he is not the main focus of a film, Cumberbatch has left a impression. Through ability to portray strong characters that are engaging, Cumberbatch has built a legacy which has been lasting. A British icon, Cumberbatch has become an actor audiences cherish. By his abilities to play strong characters, Benedict has been an actor audiences treasure. Throughout a career, Cumberbatch has made powerful movies which are absolutely worth taking about.
I’m a fan of Cumberbatch and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “The Phoenician Scheme” is my favourite. Released in 2025, Wes Anderson’s movie provided a powerful portrait of scheming businessmen. Packed with breathtaking production, captivating storytelling and powerful storytelling, it’s one of the finest movies of the year. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Benedict Cumberbatch, who embodies a scheming businessman which faces a rough patch. Ultimately, what makes “The Phoenician Scheme” a masterpiece is broad appeal. Unlike most Wes Anderson movies which are targeted towards a small audience, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about the lives of schemers, there are many reasons why “The Phoenician Scheme” is a movie worth watching.
“The Phoenician Scheme” tells the story of a wealthy businessman seeking to pull off a clever scheme. Benicio Del Toro embodies Zsa-zsa Korda, a wealthy businessman that owns a precious estate. Korda is a powerful businessman that has always achieved his goals in life with high stamina. However, his life forever changes when Korda is targeted by terrorists causing a disaster. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Korda soon begins to wonder whether it is possible for him to become a successful business figure. Faced with a complicated scheme, Korda is forced to question whether it’s possible for him to accomplish his dream. Struggling to run a competitive business, Korda wonders whether it’s possible for him to gain a state of happiness.
Wes Anderson has always been fascinated with themes of schemes. An extraordinary filmmaker, Anderson has often made bold movies about schemers causing a disaster. His iconic movie “The Royal Tenenbaums” offered a powerful portrait of dysfunctional families that experience tension. With “The Phoenician Scheme”, however, the director created his first business drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of scheming businessmen facing adversity but he succeeded tremendously. Using bold cinematography, Anderson captured a grim businessman embarking on a journey to find his identity. Evoking Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, Anderson captures a bold businessman seeking to discover his future through montages. For instance, montages elevate the business deal scene. During this undetectable scene, Korda attempts to do a tense business deal. Using bold montages, Anderson creates a portrait of schemes that is engaging. Montages are tricky. As Scott Derrickson’s “Doctor Strange” suggested, montages often enhance comic-book films about strange sorcerers. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Anderson captures tensions businessmen are facing.
Another strong aspect of “The Phoenician Scheme” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Evoking Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas”, Anderson uses costumes to craft businessmen that are engaging. Throughout the film, Korda’s costumes showcase his transformation into a powerful businessman. For instance, the costumes elevate the business arguments scene. During this tense scene, Korda has a bad argument with business associates that causes tension. Using powerful costumes, Anderson crafts a portrait of businessmen that’s engaging. Furthermore, the music is magnificent. Alexandre Desplat’s score is spectacular. It gives the film an engaging atmosphere courting the painful burdens businessmen bear. Through phenomenal production design, Anderson captures the lives of businessmen which experience grim decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Phoenician Scheme” is a film about schemes that’s compelling. The film is very well written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture the hardships that businessmen are facing. Inspired by David Fincher’s “The Social Network”, Anderson successfully uses monologues to capture the lives of businessmen struggling to care for a social network. For instance, dramatic monologues enhance the business scheme scene. During this memorable scene, Korda gives a rousing speech about his business causing tension. Through monologues, Wes Anderson creates a portrait of businessmen audiences can relate to. Monologues are a tricky technique to use in movies. As Morten Tyldum’s “The Imitation Game” suggested, monologues enhance biopic about famous inventors. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using an extraordinary screenplay, Anderson captures businessmen facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Benedict Cumberbatch delivers one of his best career performances as Uncle Nubar. Cumberbatch first earned appreciation for portraying soldiers. With “The Phoenician Scheme”, however, Cumberbatch took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a scheming businessman that faces tragedy but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With breathtaking expressions, he captures angst, courage and strong spirit of a businessman that faces adversity. It’s a strong performance from one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Benedict Cumberbatch, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Benicio Del Toro is brilliant, capturing sorrow of a business tycoon struggling to achieve big dreams he plans to follow. Tom Hanks is terrific, capturing spirit of an entrepreneur that seeks to control banks. Lastly, Scarlett Johansson merits appreciation. As a cousin of a prosperous business family, she brings tension to the movie.
Finally, “The Phoenician Scheme” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing a notorious scheme. Unlike most films made by Wes Anderson, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes including ambition, family and grief which would resonate with everyone. The film gives a message concerning business which would resonate amongst everyone. Therefore, “The Phoenician Scheme” is one of those rare movies about schemes that everyone would adore.
Fans of Benedict Cumberbatch will enjoy “The Phoenician Scheme” and so would audiences seeking tense entertainment. A powerful period drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
A powerful portrait of businessmen with schemes to accomplish, it’s a remarkable reminder of a legendary actor that has managed to accomplish great feats by portraying compelling characters in iconic movies which audiences have never lost their abilities to cherish.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 