Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bad language, smoking in off-beat Italian comedy-drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
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La Chimera
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
IN LA CHIMERA British archaeologist Arthur (Josh O'Connor) returns to rural Tuscany after a stint in jail and reconnects with a ragtag crew of grave robbers, who quickly pull him back into their criminal ways. Here he uses his mystical gift for locating the sites of Etruscan tombs to help the gang loot them and sell on the artifacts to dealers.
Is It Any Good?
This comedy-drama from Oscar-nominated writer-director Alice Rohrwacher is a charming study of grief, dreams, and interconnection between past and present. O'Connor is perfectly cast as the bedraggled former architect adrift at the center of La Chimera, which is set in 1980s Tuscany, but has a feeling of classic timelessness. There are elements of magical realism and moments where scenes are sped up, shots flipped upside down, and people and objects framed in obscure ways. At one point, an argument descends into characters growling at each other like animals. There's certainly plenty going on, despite its low-key plot. It's at once slight and substantial, full of playfulness and subtly heartbreaking, an unassuming tale and a work of art.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the themes of past and present, and life and death in La Chimera. How were they linked together?
The central group made their money grave robbing. How was it portrayed and how did it affect how you viewed the characters? What positive and negative characteristics did Arthur, Pirro, and Melodie have?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this?
How was smoking depicted in the film? Was it glamorized? Why does that matter? What are some of the dangers of smoking?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 8, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : May 7, 2024
- Cast : Josh O'Connor , Carol Duarte , Isabella Rossellini
- Director : Alice Rohrwacher
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , South American Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Neon
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 131 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : June 2, 2025
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