You know how, in Anatolia, there are those who claim to find treasure when a stick they’re holding suddenly changes direction toward the ground during a search? It turns out that Italy, home to ancient cities and great civilizations like Turkey, also has its share of people chasing such deceptions.
In the film La Chimera, Josh O’Connor plays Arthur, an Englishman living in a Tuscan village who moonlights as a modern-day Lara Croft, stealing valuables from ancient tombs with his friends. Arthur claims his stick guides him to the tombs through some kind of mystical instinct. In reality, those well-versed in archaeology locate such treasures using the geographical clues that indicate potential burial sites. So, it’s not Arthur’s instincts but rather his passion for archaeology that helps him find the treasures.
The film features a charming Italian backdrop, painted in pastel tones, where dreams and reality blend seamlessly. Arthur is going through a period of loss, sinking deeper into a bleak state of mind that manifests in his increasingly disheveled appearance as his adventures with friends unfold.
La Chimera received rave reviews and high ratings following its release last year. But I couldn’t quite warm up to it; I never fully connected with the film. I have to admit, Josh O’Connor isn’t an actor I particularly admire. He often comes across as if he’s doing everything reluctantly. Perhaps he’s simply cast in these kinds of roles, but his screen persona always feels sulky, arrogant, and restless, which I find a bit off-putting.
I couldn’t connect with Arthur as a character, nor did his friends appeal to me. Like many, I enjoy Italian dialogue where humor and warmth intertwine, but none of the characters in this film inspired much enthusiasm in me. At least it’s fair to say that the film has a clear purpose, and its ending ties together a narrative cycle, resulting in a well-crafted production overall.