The Curious Case of Wes Anderson’s ‘Phoenician’: A Beautiful Puzzle Missing Its Heart
In his latest cinematic confection Phoenician, Wes Anderson serves up another visually sumptuous feast that somehow leaves you hungry for more substance. The film tells the unconventional story of Zsa-zsa Korda (a perfectly cast Bill Murray type we never see), a wealthy industrialist who makes the startling decision to name his only daughter – a nun living in cloistered seclusion – as sole heir to his billion-dollar empire.
A Plot Ripe With Potential
The storyline immediately hooks with its delicious premise: as Korda embarks on a dangerous new business venture in the Middle East, his unexpected succession plan triggers a global game of corporate chess. Suddenly, this reluctant nun finds herself targeted by:
- Rival tycoons played by Anderson regulars like Jeff Goldblum
- Foreign terrorists with unclear motives
- A shadowy assassin (Willem Dafoe in another wonderfully weird Anderson role)
The Wes Anderson Paradox: Style vs. Substance
True to form, every frame of Phoenician could be frozen and hung in a museum. The production design team has outdone themselves with:
- Meticulously arranged corporate offices featuring Anderson’s signature symmetrical compositions
- A convent sequence with hilariously anachronistic modern luxuries
- Action sequences staged like elaborate ballet performances
Yet for all its visual splendor, the film stumbles where Anderson’s best works soar. The central relationship between father and daughter – which should anchor the entire narrative – never achieves the emotional depth of, say, The Royal Tenenbaums. Their reconciliation scene, while beautifully blocked, feels more like an aesthetic exercise than a cathartic payoff.
Where the Film Shines
Notable bright spots include:
- A hilarious sequence where the nun negotiates with terrorists using scripture quotes
- Jeff Goldblum’s cameo as a rival businessman obsessed with antique clocks
- The stunning Moroccan location photography that makes excellent use of Anderson’s color palette
OTT Platform Release Information
| Platform | Release Date | Special Features |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | December 15, 2024 | Director’s commentary, behind-the-scenes featurette |
| Amazon Prime Video | January 5, 2025 | Bonus: Wes Anderson’s short film collection |
| Apple TV+ | December 20, 2024 | Exclusive interview with production designer |
The Cast That Almost Saves It
The ensemble delivers typically strong Andersonian performances:
- The unnamed nun (a breakout role for newcomer Sister Maria Clement) brings surprising edge to her pious character
- Adrien Brody chews scenery wonderfully as a conflicted corporate fixer
- Tilda Swinton appears briefly but memorably as a Mother Superior with a secret past
Why It Falls Short of Anderson’s Best
Compared to The Grand Budapest Hotel (Anderson’s undisputed masterpiece) or even the recent Henry Sugar (which earned him an Oscar), Phoenician suffers from:
- Emotional distance from its characters
- A third act that feels rushed after such meticulous setup
- Too many underdeveloped subplots (the terrorist angle particularly)
Final Verdict: A Beautiful Curio
Phoenician will delight Anderson completists and design enthusiasts, but may leave general audiences wanting. It’s less a fully realized film than another exquisite piece in Anderson’s growing collection of cinematic dioramas – stunning to look at, fascinating to examine, but ultimately containing less life than its elaborate casing suggests.
For Wes Anderson fans, it’s essential viewing. For casual viewers, perhaps wait until it hits your preferred streaming platform. And for those new to Anderson’s work, start with The Grand Budapest Hotel or Moonrise Kingdom before tackling this more niche entry.
Bonus: The Wes Anderson Drinking Game
Take a sip every time you spot:
- A character framed dead center
- A document or book with exaggerated typography
- Someone delivering lines with deadpan sincerity
- A sudden shift in aspect ratio
(Disclaimer: You’ll be drunk by the 30-minute mark)