The Phoenician Scheme Misses the Big Picture
In simpler terms, Anderson maintains his preferred design elements in his expanding works, but I found “The Phoenician Scheme” to indicate broadening instead of growth in his artistic journey. This film, set in 1956, moves between the Palazzo Korda, its protagonist’s large mansion, and various regions of Modern Greater Independent Phoenicia – an ambiguous Middle Eastern nation portrayed as a mix of deserts, warring factions, and colonial outposts. The film’s rhythm is driven by a thriller plot as Korda attempts to secure more funding from his partners while avoiding assassination attempts (his repeated phrase, “I feel very safe,” seems more like a chant than a statement). However, the mid-century design and quick dialogues create an intricate layer of detail that feels like shiny lacquer concealing human figures. The movie invites you to pause frames to appreciate its beauty and humor, yet fails to entice you to rewatch it as a complete piece.