It’s safe to say that Josh O’Connor is having a moment. The talented actor blew up in popularity after Challengers, which he is great in, but that’s not even his best performance this year. To see just how brightly the British actor can shine, you should buy the La Chimera Blu-ray and watch Alice Rohrwacher’s incredible period comedy-drama.
“Everyone has their own Chimera, something they try to achieve but never manage to find. For the band of tombaroli, thieves of ancient grave goods and archaeological wonders, the Chimera means redemption from work and the dream of easy wealth. For Arthur, the Chimera looks like the woman he lost, Beniamina. To find her, Arthur challenges the invisible, searches everywhere, goes inside the earth – in search of the door to the afterlife of which myths speak. In an adventurous journey between the living and the dead, between forests and cities, between celebrations and solitudes, the intertwined destinies of these characters unfold, all in search of the Chimera,” says the film’s synopsis.
Beautifully shot in Italy, La Chimera is the fourth feature film by Rohrwacher, who has quickly become a favorite director of many due to her work on The Wonders, Happy as Lazzaro, and the Academy Award-nominated short film Le Pupille. Sharply written with hilarious dialogue, it doesn’t take long for the film to really start getting its grip on the viewer, with it eventually finding O’Connor’s Arthur back in his tomb stealing ways that had landed him in prison while he searches for his ex-girlfriend.
While it is certainly a film that sees O’Connor in the lead role, as he shines just as much in the comedy portions as the drama, he’s joined by a very talented international cast as well. Brazilian actress Carol Duarte steals several scenes, while Italy is well represented with Vincenzo Nemolato, Alba Rohrwacher, Isabella Rossellini, and Lou Roy-Lecollinet also impressing. Grave robbing has never been so charming, and La Chimera ends perfectly to really encapsulate what a great film it is.
It’s been a real breakout stretch for O’Connor. The British actor was also great in Challengers — stealing several scenes from his talented co-stars Zendaya and Mike Faist — and in the refugee drama Aisha. O’Connor received a rave review from his co-star Letitia Wright for his performance in the latter.
“I like Josh. Like Josh is real, you know? He’s not full of himself. He’s just a beautiful lad, great artist, and I just connect with people like that. It was very easy to work with him. I would love to work with him again. Something different but easy, easy. I have no bad notes, just all good ones. A great scene partner,” Wright gushed to ComingSoon.
The only downside to the La Chimera Blu-ray is that there are no special features to speak of. Unfortunately, this is becoming a common trend among smaller releases. It’s always disappointing, but when the actual art on display is this good, you aren’t entirely troubled with it. That said, I would’ve loved to have seen the creatives discussing the film.
La Chimera Review: Final verdict
The La Chimera Blu-ray features one of the year’s best movies and an incredible performance by Josh O’Connor. Alice Rohrwacher has quickly become one of the most interesting filmmakers and is really coming into her own. A stunning movie with a perfect ending, it’s an easy recommendation.
