Written by: Alice Rohrwacher
Starring: Josh O’Connor, Carol Duarte, Vincenzo Nemolato, Alba Rohrwacher, Isabella Rossellini
Rating: [4.5/5]
Treasure hunting, archaeology, and grave robbing all involve a similar action of digging up artifacts of cultural and monetary significance, but they each carry a different perception. Ambition, educational pursuit, and barbarism, respectively, separate each of these pursuits and toe the line as seen in the wondrous La Chimera. These differences define much of what the lead character operates within, making for a film that brings humor, love, and plenty of fiery Italian passion to the forefront.
Returning to Italy after spending time in prison for stealing artifacts to sell, Arthur returns to the home of his girlfriend, where he finds her mother, Flora (Isabella Rossellini). In lieu of trying to find a job, he joins a gang of tombaroli who seek to find artifacts they can sell for profit. Given his nearly magical talent for finding artifacts, he encounters a find unlike anything else.
If someone mentions Alice Rohrwacher has a new film out, I do not need a synopsis to buy me into whatever she has in store next. With La Chimera, she returns to the well with the magical realism she utilizes in her films and does so within the tapestry of easily lovable characters that each have their flaws but also components that make them incredibly fun to watch. At the center we follow Arthur as he battles with the reality of where he currently stands in life. His girlfriend has left and has not returned, and he finds himself in a small Italian town living inside a hut. He must decide where he goes next, thus opening the door for this wildly entertaining supporting cast of characters.
The tombaroli bring this infectiously enjoyable attitude in the way they work as a team. They look to make money by literally finding tombs, taking anything valuable from them, and selling it to a buyer always hungry for new treasures. Objectively, this work is completely inappropriate and downright disrespectful to the dead, but the brazen way they go about it and the nearly cartoonish manner in which they behave do make it delightful to watch. The way they interface with Arthur adds much of the humor this film has to offer. Arthur brings this seriousness to the way he works, as if he has a deeper purpose in doing what he does, and just as the seriousness of it begins to firm up, you take a step back and watch this group hilariously go about their work in the way they do. They create a perfect balance for each other that makes these moments of them continually digging for new items consistently captivating.
As Arthur gets back in the groove of finding artifacts he and the tombaroli can sell for a profit, he also reconnects with Flora and how she awaits the return of her daughter. Portrayed wonderfully by Isabella Rossellini with quite the tenderness to her, at least towards Arthur. This also introduced Italia portrayed by the wonderful Carol Duarte into the story. Working as the live-in maid for Flora, Italia becomes the emotional focal point of the film in what she represents to Arthur as he begins to get his bearings again in life. Duarte becomes this compelling force on screen, all culminating in a particular beachside party where she dances the night away and displays an exuberance and zeal for life that so beautifully comes through on the screen. Rohrwacher highlights Duarte in such a beautiful manner through the camera as she remains as this anchor living in the real world while everyone else around Arthur lives in their delusions of something that does not exist.
For as much fun La Chimera displays through the digging scenes and their discovery, a distinct sadness looms throughout this film surrounding Arthur. Much of this lands on this unspoken truth about the whereabouts of Beniamina, the woman he so dearly loves. He plays into the delusions of Flora as she tries to avoid the truth of what has happened to her daughter. Arthur knows and carries this with him all throughout this film, and amidst everything happening, this narrative never loses its core, and all of it culminates in the moment where Arthur and the tombaroli have the opportunity to make the sale of a lifetime. This singular scene displays the film’s peak, where it moves from great to spectacular as it punctuates the feelings Arthur has disguised from himself throughout. In this moment, Josh O’Connor’s performance also reveals all of its layers.
O’Connor lately has been on quite the roll in working with great directors and, in turn, delivering strong performances. In this role, not only does he need to speak Italian, but he must also successfully encapsulate a complicated character going through quite the emotional experience. This works right into his wheelhouse and how he operates as an actor. Combining forces with Alice Rohrwacher allowed him in his dirty suit to turn up the charm when necessary, celebrate like a mongrel with the tombaroli, and also deliver the quiet and emotionally impactful moments of Arthur. This director-actor combination worked wonders.
Yet another dazzling success for what I consider the greatest working Italian filmmaker in the world right now. Alice Rohrwacher brings forth yet another emotional haymaker while also delivering a film with plenty of whimsy and heart. She crafts a lead character who internalizes plenty but still connects with the supporting players so well in creating a film that hits at every storytelling level. As ever, she knows how to conclude a story, and the way she does it in this instance so beautifully punctuated the story and the emotional journey for this character that further exhibits she’s operating at the height of her powers.
Films with Josh 
