La Chimera

O'Connor and the cinematography wasn't enough.

(DOWSERS OF THE LOST ARK)

It's different, but that's about the highest praise I have for Rohrwacher at this point. Individual scenes are lackluster, and the script is just too disjointed to achieve flow and continuous immersion for much of the running time. I was bored, and when the Fellini references began I wasn't impressed.

"La Chimera" showcases Alice Rohrwacher's signature folklorish vision of Italy, with captivating time shifts and a standout performance by Josh O'Connor. The film's atmosphere, cinematography, and innovative storytelling elements create a unique and magical experience. However, the lack of a cohesive narrative and the overwhelming presence of Federico Fellini's influence dilute its charm and leave the viewer longing for more.

Lifting from Fellini without improving qualifies as grave robbing? This has very high art house peaks -including a stunning, beautiful finale-, and it feels fresh to sit through, but the whole still comes off as underwhelming. Is Alice the queen of good movies one can't help but feel should definitely be better? Perhaps she is yet to find the right shape, and instruments.

Almost constantly interesting is not enough when compared to the far superior Happy as Lazzaro.

i never thought i'd see a movie centered around dowsing in 2024

The glowering O'Connor is magnetic in his romp around the Italian countryside, a beautiful backdrop for a richly thematic movie about loss and the search to fill holes in our heart. There are a number of standout sequences, including the folk songs giving O'Conners journey some meaty allegory and the montage of plundering with his team. Really good stuff

This didn’t hit me quite as much as I wanted it to, but at its best it’s a curious and beguiling thing with some truly superb performances. Carol Duarte!!

Arthur is released from jail and reconnects with his breezy band of tomb robbers, but seems more interested in trying to get back the love of his live -- even knowing it's impossible, because she's kinda dead. Great performances all around and a curious, strange atmosphere, specially in the first hour -- a sense of timelessness and a low fantasy setting that never quite takes off, but also never feels down to earth. Lovely finale. Never been a fan, but for me this is Rohrwacher's best.

My ★★★★½ review of La Chimera on Letterboxd https://boxd.it/6yyG6H

Slow-moving, gradually charmed in the end

1 Maig 2024 - M'ha agradat la sensació del grup de personatges. El Nico deia que era fellinià. Tenia coses boniques. Narcissistament, m'ha fet repensar la imatge que vull donar. El personatge de la noia era guai. Hi havia una mica massa de misteri que se'm feia excessiu com per interessar-m'hi prou. I una mica llarga cap al final. M'ha interessat però no ha aconseguit capturar-me plenament.

Quite a shaggy story. I did not find the characters exactly compelling. But intriguing visuals and some bravura sequences, particularly the party/excavation of the large statue.

Interesting, but I’m not sure I could quite wrap my head around it.

Formally compelling, unexpectedly playful at times, strong ending. That said, between this and Happy as Lazzaro, I’m still pretty firmly in the “like-but-not-love” camp with Alice Rohrwacher’s work (heck, you can throw Le pupille into that equation as well), but there’s no denying the talent and vision on display in any of these films.

Everybody has their own Chimera that they keep seeking for

61st nyff