Pop Culture Happy Hour: The Phoenician Scheme

Release Date: June 9, 2025 | Host: NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour

Introduction to "The Phoenician Scheme"

In this episode of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, host Glenn Weldon delves into Wes Anderson's latest cinematic endeavor, "The Phoenician Scheme." Released to much anticipation, the film continues Anderson's legacy of distinctive storytelling and visual flair. Glenn sets the stage by highlighting the film's adherence to Anderson's signature style while questioning its standing among his body of work.

Glenn Weldon [00:20]: "It's classic Wes Anderson, really, for those of us who love his stuff. It gives us everything we're looking for in his idiosyncratic approach to filmmaking."

Overview of the Film's Plot and Characters

"The Phoenician Scheme" is a period piece set in the 1950s, featuring a star-studded cast including Benicio Del Toro, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Riz Ahmed, Jeffrey Wright, Mia Threpleton, and Michael Cera. The narrative centers on Zsa Corda (Del Toro), a wealthy and amoral industrialist involved in a grand infrastructure project in the fictional locale of Modern, Greater, Independent Phoenicia. As Zsa grapples with spiritual visions, he recruits his estranged daughter Liesel (Threpleton), now a nun-in-training, to assist in convincing his business partners to invest further in his ambitious scheme—all while evading attempts on his life.

Wes Anderson's Aesthetic and Consistency

Chris Klimek, a writer and guest on the show, commends Anderson's unwavering commitment to his unique aesthetic, albeit expressing a desire for occasional deviation to spark new discussions.

Chris Klimek [02:25]: "Would it kill Wes Anderson to make a bad movie once in a while just to give us something to talk about? He's very steady, he's very consistent."

However, Chris acknowledges the achievement in maintaining an "inimitable" style that continues to resonate, even among critics who debate the repetitiveness versus innovation in Anderson's films.

B.A. Parker, co-host and NPR's Code Switch voice, echoes similar sentiments, noting the "tight orchestration" of Anderson's films but hints at a surface-level execution that might lack deeper emotional resonance.

B.A. Parker [04:37]: "It's so tightly orchestrated, but also rang a bit hollow for me because there is like this very surface level approach to what we were experiencing."

Emotional Depth and Themes in the Film

The discussion pivots to the emotional core—or perceived lack thereof—in "The Phoenician Scheme." Chris points out that Wes Anderson's films typically delve into themes of loss and regret, often surfacing subtly beneath layers of humor and stylization.

Chris Klimek [03:35]: "In every Wes Anderson movie, we're usually circling around to a core of loss of regret."

Contrastingly, B.A. feels that this installment may fall short in delivering the profound emotional impact characteristic of Anderson’s earlier works.

Cast Performances and Character Analysis

The episode highlights the ensemble cast's contributions, with Michael Cera making his first appearance in an Anderson film as Zsa Corda's entomology tutor. Both B.A. Parker and Chris Klimek commend Cera's seamless fit into Anderson's universe, describing his performance as embodying the filmmaker's "cosmic sense of inevitability."

B.A. Parker [08:06]: "I'm so shocked that this is Michael Cera's first time in Wes Anderson film when he fits so perfectly in that universe."

Riz Ahmed and Jeffrey Wright are also praised for their roles, with Chris noting the dynamic between Cranston and Hanks as "jocks" navigating financial intricacies in the plot.

Chris Klimek [12:24]: "I love the brief Cranston and Hanks segment as these two potential investors... I was here for it."

Mia Threpleton is recognized for her portrayal of Liesel, providing a strong emotional counterpart to Del Toro's character and adding depth to the narrative.

B.A. Parker [13:42]: "I felt like she was really going toe to toe with Benicio Del Toro's character..."

Spiritual Elements and Redemption Arc

A notable aspect of the film is Zsa Zsa's spiritual visions, which introduce a celestial dimension to the otherwise secular storyline. The trio discusses whether these elements come across as sincere or feel out of place within Anderson's typically rational frameworks.

Glenn Weldon [15:27]: "Do those moments come off, like, a bit, or do they come off as sincere ultimately for you?"

Chris Klimek asserts that Anderson's meticulous craftsmanship ensures that every element, including spiritual interludes, is "fully believed in", eliminating doubts about sincerity.

Chris Klimek [16:37]: "Asking whether like, these little interstitial sequences... are he really baring his soul... I just know. I feel like he means all of it."

Modern Relevance and Character Empathy

The conversation shifts to the ethical dimensions of the protagonist, Zsa Zsa Korda, portrayed as an amoral billionaire involved in morally questionable enterprises. The hosts grapple with the audience's ability to empathize with such a character in today's socio-political climate, drawing parallels to contemporary discussions around powerful figures acting with impunity.

B.A. Parker [17:56]: "Maybe this is, like, the tipping point, and we are less likely to embrace these kind of characters."

However, Chris Klimek counters that the film doesn't entirely absolve Zsa Zsa, suggesting a "comeuppance" that aligns with traditional redemption arcs.

Chris Klimek [18:12]: "Zsa Zsa Korda... does get his comeuppance... It's okay for us to make our own decision about that."

Final Thoughts and Conclusions

As the episode wraps up, Glenn Weldon acknowledges the complexity of the film and invites listeners to share their perspectives, hinting at many layers yet to be unpacked. The guests express their appreciation for the film's ambitious attempt to intertwine Wes Anderson's aesthetic with deeper thematic elements, even if opinions on its execution remain divided.

Glenn Weldon [19:22]: "This is a very dense film. We have a lot to unpack here."

B.A. Parker and Chris Klimek conclude by reflecting on their individual receptions of the film, balancing admiration for Anderson's craftsmanship with critiques of its emotional and narrative depth.

Notable Quotes:

• Glenn Weldon [00:20]: "Look, it's Wes Anderson. You know the drill."
• Chris Klimek [02:25]: "Would it kill Wes Anderson to make a bad movie once in a while just to give us something to talk about?"
• B.A. Parker [04:37]: "It is so tightly orchestrated, but also rang a bit hollow for me..."
• Chris Klimek [16:37]: "I just know. I feel like he means all of it."

For more insights and discussions on the latest in pop culture, tune into Pop Culture Happy Hour on NPR.