“I feel very safe myself”. On the whole I think I’m much more of a fan than many others of Wes Anderson’s latest career stage where his unmistakable style has never been more prominent but he continues to experiment with storytelling techniques and vivid characterisation. It’s definitely not style over substance, whatever lazy naysayers might say. Following infamous arms manufacturer Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio Del Toro) miraculously continuing to cheat death while reconnecting with his estranged nun daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton) and attempting to close the biggest deal of his career, THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME is one of Anderson’s most ambitious projects to date. Apart from anything else, this has got a real scale to it. He still plays with reality and dials up the theatrical elements, but this is a real globe-trotter, an absurdist comedy showcasing a diverse ensemble of regular collaborators and even dicing with a bit of political commentary. It’s mad, it’s exciting and breathlessly convoluted and one of Anderson’s best in years. SSP