A group of archaeologists and the black market of historical artifacts.

‘La Chimera’ is the latest movie from Italian director Alice Rohrwacher, centering on a group of archaeologists/grave robbers (can argue either way, suppose they’re a bit of both!) in the 1980s. It stars Josh O’Connor as Arthur, a moody Englishman who gets involved in this network, accompanying them on their expeditions as he has a special knack for identifying where hidden treasures may be stored – this is known as his ‘chimeras’ hence the title, which are visions he experiences to guide him. It is a film that has had a lot of praise, for what, I’m not sure, as I never thought this was anything more than alright.

‘La Chimera’ begins on a train as Arthur returns to Italy after a spell in prison for stealing artefacts from tombs on behalf of an (at this stage) unknown arts dealer called Spartaco. He initially avoids his former accomplices, choosing instead to spend time around his ex-girlfriend’s mother (Isabella Rossellini) and her maid Italia (Carol Duarte), who he develops feelings for. That isn’t long in changing, and he soon finds himself back with his old friends and involved in his old life in excavating potentially valuable Etruscan goods from hidden tombs. There is an ethereal feel to the tone of this film where it exists in a place of heightened reality, with religious and fantastical overtones interrupting what is otherwise a grounded narrative.

I like Josh O’Connor as an actor but I felt he played Arthur as too distant to truly care about so his past, or his future prospects, didn’t resonate with me. Nor did I care for much else that happened in the film, and ‘La Chimera’ can join the list of films I’ve came away from wondering what all the fuss was about, as I certainly didn’t connect with it.

Rating: 3/5

Directed By: Alice Rohrwacher

Starring: Josh O’Connor, Carol Duarto, Vincenzo Nemolato, Alba Rohrwacher, Lou Roy-Lecollinet, Gian Piero Capretto, Ramona Fiorini and Isabella Rossellini

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt14561712/