It is 1950. Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio Del Toro) is a wealthy businessman who has concocted the most extraordinary venture that will be hugely profitable. However, there are those who want him to fail. Thus, a bomb blasts a hole in the side of his plane. Even so, he survives the crash. This is the 5th or 6th plane crash he has survived. Mostly. He briefly visits the afterlife each time. Determined to have his plan carried out in the event of his death, he summoned his daughter from a nunnery. Liesl (Mia Threapleton) is not interested in being the heir but accepts the post temporarily. Korda is a man of learning and hires a tutor for his kids - he has 9 sons in addition to Liesl. Bjorn (Michael Cera) is a mousy fellow with a Swedish accent. Korda also assigns Bjorn to be his administrative secretary when they travel. And so begins the travels. The deal is not yet complete. There is a gap in the funding. At each stop, Korda attempts to fill the gap, but it instead grows bigger.
Like all Wes Anderson films, it is quirky. All the lines are delivered in monotone. The camera moves in very specific ways and the scenes are meticulously formatted. This man loves his blocking. However, the story just isn't there. Is this a story about a father reconnecting with his daughter? Probably. Is this a mystery in which a murderer is uncovered? Not really. Is Korda out to find the person or persons who have been trying to assassinate him? Not intentionally. Is this a story of how a rich businessman is going to get even richer? Not at all. Is this just a random series of events where quirky lines can be delivered by famous actors? Yes.
It is an all-star cast. Everyone wants to be in a Wes Anderson film and many of these actors have become Anderson regulars. Tom Hanks, Willem Dafoe, F. Murray Abraham, Billy Murray, Bryan Cranston, Scarlett Johansson, and Benedict Cumberbatch each have small roles. Cumberbatch looks ridiculous as the Rasputin-like Uncle Nubar.
The best line in the movie is repeated several times by Korda: "Myself, I feel very safe." This became funnier with repetition. Michael Cera's transformation from bookish Professor Bjorn to American spy was also quite funny. Even with the cigarette and mustache, he still looks unimposing.
It has its moments, but it is a below average Wes Anderson film. Obviously a must watch for his fans but I'd go with Moonrise Kingdom or The Life Aquatic instead.
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