As the glamorous Cannes Film Festival draws to a close this weekend, two of the films that caused the biggest buzz there have already landed in UK cinemas.
But if you’re heading out to catch them, be warned — one is a bit of a disappointment while the other might test your patience with its length and seriousness.
Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme Feels Like Déjà Vu
Wes Anderson is back with his latest film, The Phoenician Scheme, and it’s packed with a star-studded cast including Benicio del Toro, Tom Hanks, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, and Bryan Cranston.
Anderson has always been a filmmaker people either love or just can’t stand — he’s like Marmite, but even that has its limits.
I’ve admired his earlier works like Rushmore and absolutely adored The Grand Budapest Hotel.
But more recently, films like The French Dispatch and Asteroid City felt overly indulgent, with Anderson’s signature whimsy turning into a bit of a chore.
Unfortunately, The Phoenician Scheme falls into the same trap.
Set in the 1950s, the film is visually stunning, full of Anderson’s trademark quirky dialogue, stylized sets, and costumes.
It follows a crafty businessman named Zsa-Zsa Korda, played by del Toro, who’s dodging assassination attempts while trying to push a mysterious new project.
His only daughter Liesl, a novice nun played by Mia Threapleton, is the unexpected heir to his empire.
While the cast clearly enjoyed themselves — and it shows — the story loses steam after a promising and genuinely funny start.
If you’re a die-hard Anderson fan, you might still find joy here, but for me, the magic just isn’t there anymore.
Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
If you’re in the mood for big-budget, globe-trotting action, Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning might be on your radar.
Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt, once again racing against time to stop a rogue AI known as The Entity from wreaking havoc.
There’s no shortage of jaw-dropping stunts, including an unforgettable sequence where Cruise clings to a biplane flying high over South Africa.
But at nearly three hours long, the film often feels weighed down by its own self-importance, dragging the pace when it should be all about fun and excitement.
Director Christopher McQuarrie’s script is filled with heavy-handed warnings about the fate of the world that could’ve been trimmed down significantly.
By the end, you might be wishing for the very disaster the movie tries so hard to avoid.
Fountain Of Youth Brings Much-Needed Fun to the Genre
Thankfully, Fountain Of Youth offers a refreshing break from all the seriousness.
Directed by Guy Ritchie and streaming on Apple TV+, this action thriller is packed with chaotic fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
John Krasinski shines as Luke, an art thief tangled up in a wild adventure with his sister Charlotte, played by Natalie Portman.
Their family feud plays out alongside a plot to steal priceless masterpieces that supposedly lead to the secret of eternal life — all to save a dying billionaire patron portrayed by Domhnall Gleeson.
The screenplay, written by James Vanderbilt, weaves in a fascinating historical nod to the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, blending fact and fiction in a way that adds extra intrigue.
What to Expect Next
If you missed it, a longer review of Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning was published last week.
As Cannes wraps up, the rest of the festival’s lineup will gradually reach audiences worldwide, so keep an eye out for more films to enjoy (or endure).