|
|
|
|
|
In the ‘80s, Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones movies made archaeology cool. But the Italian adventure La Chimera shows a different side of archaeology—following the kind of black market treasure hunters that probably would have been the villains in one of Indy’s movies.
La Chimera returns to a small Italian town with Arthur (Josh O’Connor), an Englishman whose passion for archaeology and his gift for uncovering ancient Etruscan artifacts have made him the leader of a motley band of tomb raiders. After being released from prison, he returns to the shed he calls home, to his flamboyant friends, and to the mother of the woman he loved and lost. He continues on his digs with his crew, constantly searching for the priceless relics that will help him earn a living—and provide him with a sacred passage to the afterlife.
Though Arthur’s story may not have the same kind of death-defying action and comic one-liners of one of Indy’s quests, there’s still plenty of action here. After all, what Arthur and his friends are doing is both lucrative and highly illegal, which means that they often find themselves dodging the authorities and avoiding rival grave robbers—as well as anyone else who might want to take a share of their earnings.
While much of the story focuses on the search for ancient artifacts, though, there’s so much more to this film than just archaeology. Arthur may be a quiet, serious guy, but he’s surrounded by eccentric characters—from the band of misfits who follow his lead and help him dig to Isabella Rossellini’s Flora and the meddling female family members who surround her. At times, with all of these characters and their noise and comedy, the film can feel a little messy. But in the midst of it all, there’s one quiet young man on his own journey of reflection and self-discovery.
Still, though, this is not a mainstream kind of film, with the expected rises and falls in its storytelling. It sometimes feels hazy and strange—and viewers might sometimes be perplexed by the point of it all. But it’s also beautiful and charming and imaginative—an entertaining tale of life and love and death.
La Chimera isn’t as flashy and action-packed—or as predictable—as an Indiana Jones adventure. But this playful Italian caper offers an artistic take on a quest that goes beyond just the hunt for ancient artifacts.
You can join the hunt for treasure when La Chimera arrives in select theaters on March 29, 2024.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
|
|
|
|
