Introduction to a Comedy Mastermind
If you were to do a poll of the best comedy filmmakers of the 21st century, writer/director Wes Anderson is not the obvious choice to come out on top, but there’s an argument to be made for him. His quirky style doesn’t yield the guffaws that more broad comedies do, but the absurd situations he creates in his films are often more consistently funny than anything else.
The Phoenician Scheme: A Complex Comedy
Anderson’s inimitable approach is once again on full display in his latest film. At its center is Zsa-Zsa Gorda, a much-hated businessman who’s looking to complete a number of big projects in the fictional country of Phoenicia. As he seems to be the target of multiple assassination attempts, he appoints his daughter, Liesl, as his heir to try to ensure his legacy. Both she and his new assistant, Bjorn, accompany him around the country as he tries to enact a scheme to have others cover the bulk of the cost for the various projects.
A Star-Studded Cast
Those he attempts to convince include Phoenician Prince Farouk, brothers Leland and Reagan, fellow businessman Marseille Bob, ship captain Marty, his Cousin Hilda, and Uncle Nubar. The cast of characters is played by a talented ensemble, including Benicio Del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Anderson’s Unique Style
Put in Andersonian terms, the film is a mix between the madcap antics from The Grand Budapest Hotel and the impenetrable storytelling of Asteroid City. If you were to try to understand every detail of what’s going on in the story of the film, it might take three or more viewings to do so. But the film is still highly entertaining because Anderson fills its frames with his typical visual delights, great wordplay, and his particular version of slapstick.
Comedy and Allusions
Much of the comedy of the film derives from Anderson inserting moments that initially come as a surprise and then utilizing them as running jokes. The film features more blood than usual for the filmmaker, but each time a character gets wounded (or worse), it gets funnier. The assassination attempts get broader as the film goes along, and the matter-of-fact way in which they’re treated by Gorda and others is also hilarious. The film is also full of high-brow things like allusions to paintings, tributes to other filmmakers, and classical music.
Standout Performances
Del Toro has delivered some great performances over the years, but this one is near the top for him. This is his second Anderson film and he nails the deadpan method. Also great is Cera, who uses a ridiculous accent to make a big impression. Threapleton, the daughter of Kate Winslet, makes the most of her first big film role. The list of supporting actors is too deep to properly laud everyone, but they all fit in seamlessly.
Conclusion
Opinions will differ, but for this critic’s money, Anderson is at his best when he fully leans into the comedy of his films. He does just that in his latest film, to the point that it doesn’t matter that the story is overly complex. The combination of his eye for visual detail, a witty script, and committed performances make it a success. The film is now playing in theaters.
