La Chimera

La Chimera is a story of lost love, exploration and hope. Anchored by the charismatic Josh O’Connor, the film follows the days of Arthur (O’Connor) a British architect spending his time in 1980s Italy in search of hidden treasures. But life has not been so kind to Arthur, and he has fallen in with a group of grave robbers, digging up Etruscan artefacts to pay his debts. Meanwhile, he also mourns the loss of a loved one, finding it more and more difficult each day to find purpose in the illegal life he is living.

There are no two ways about it, La Chimera is some of the finest cinematic work to come out of Italy in recent years. You get lost in the picturesque and magical nature of the movie and Tuscan authenticity bursts into every scene. What director and writer Rohrwacher has created here is a work of art that is so delicate and precious, it too if found would be treasured by the grave hunting protagonists.

Speaking of which, the dishevelled O’Connor flits between speaking English and Italian with a beautiful ease that only escalates the warm feel of nostalgia that oozes from this feature. His boyish looks combine with a mature gaze and persona as he walks the fields of Tuscany and has social encounters with his friends and the police. We can tell he is a scholar and a man of integrity, but through one way or another has fallen short of his goals and dreams, sacrificing his career to survive day to day. His desire to be reunited with his deceased girlfriend Beniamina has connected him with the spirit world, but his grief torments him all the same and O’Connor carries this, and the plot, on his shoulders with total professionalism.

There is also another captivating performance from relative newcomer Carol Duarte, who brings a glimmer of optimism to the story in her role as Italia, a mother of two making ends meet, who wishes to break the chains of relentless employment and dedicate her life to helping others, including Arthur.

The drama is unpretentious, much like the lives of the principal players and the filming is stylish, almost dreamlike. The movie goes at its own pace and allows the viewer to enjoy every second of dialogue and bathe in the glowing cinematography of Hélène Louvart, something we are forever grateful for, as this is a gorgeous film of simplicity that you can fully immerse yourself in. Rohrwacher is one of the most artistic directors working at this current time and the enchanted La Chimera truly reinforces this notion.

Guy Lambert

La Chimera is released in select cinemas on 10^th May 2024.

Watch the trailer for La Chimera here: