I've watched a couple of earlier films by the same director and found them fascinating and compelling.
This one however isn't up to the same standard and seems a bit of a whimsical mess and at 2 hours plus, is just too long.
Even the character played by Josh O'connor doesn't have any real depth and he comes across as an Oirish tinker who's wandered into Italy by mistake. But no, he's an Etruscan grave robber (?!). You see the problems....
I hated THE WONDERS by the same director but loved HAPPY AS LAZZARO by her. To be honest, she seems to have benefited greatly from being female in an age chucking funding at female and BAME directors/writers (and discriminating against white males loads). She has a posh German-Italian background...who also gave her actress sister a role here. How cosy.
The main actor Josh O'Connor is not Irish - he is deep English from Newbury with illustrious ancestors too.
This has been called 'magic realism'. I hate that term and books/films which claim the label - usually they are silly self-indulgent incoherent whimsical woowoo and that is the case here. If this film were in English, critics would call it drivel, I am sure.
Meandering, unfocused nonsense. Far better to watch Indiana Jones movies if you want archaeology, or maybe Gladiator, or The Mummy...
The non-plot annoyed, and what plot exists is more nonsensical and unbelievable than Indiana Jones or even The Mummy.
The fastforwarding of segments shows desperation in a director craving for comedy. And the idea pots and statues remain so intact after 2500 years is just clueless.
I did not laugh or smile. I yawned. I love archaeology, Etruscan and Roman, and Italy too - watch the great film REALITY (2012), the best ever take on reality TV. I do like some Italian films, though their comedy leaves me cold.
Almost 1 star, but 1.5 rounded up to 2. Some pretty scenery and I practised my Italian...