The Phoenician Scheme: hidden in plain sight, the real story of Wes Anderson’s film is not the eponymous scheme, but the reconstruction of a father-daughter relationship. The adventures in putting the scheme to work allow the characters to have many absurd encounters with colourful characters (filled with his trademark dry humour) and to put the varied and rich work of production designer Adam Stockhausen on full display. However, the film’s emotional core is the growing relationship between the fearless and remorseless business tycoon and his long-abandoned, pious daughter.

The cast is excellent on paper and in reality: Benicio del Toro, as the businessman, fully displays how hard he can be, but softens up as required, in a delightful and lightly cominc performance. Mia Threapleton, as his daughter, is charming as the devout and charming young nun, is quite good as well. Michael Cera, however, steals the show as a nerdy tutor hired to accompany them in their travels. The smaller roles are filled with a great cast: Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston as a pair of basketball-loving brothers, Mathieu Amalric as a nightclub owner, Richard Ayoade as a guerrilla fighter, Jeffrey Wright as a ship captain, Benedict Cumberbatch as the protagonist’s brother.

Cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel, working for the first time with Anderson, does a typically great job, moving the camera beautifully and framing flawlessly. In addition to the aforementioned work of Stockhausen, costume designer Milena Canonero helps a lot to establish the film’s intricate, precise and lovely work. Composer Alexandre Desplat’s original musical score is quite good in setting the adventure.