"The Hand Of God": Movie Review
Written By Alex Greenbaum
Italian cinema is a unique craft that is easily identifiable by its overtly honest take on peoples lives. "The Hand Of God" is no exception and director/writer Paolo Sorrentino ("The Great Beauty", "Youth") is able to transport you to Naples with a unique feeling of distant nostalgia, comic absurdity, and dramatic relevance. Defying every standard of the typical "coming of age" story, the film works in such mysterious ways it's hard to quantify. At times, "The Hand Of God" presents scenes that left me equally shocked and moved, and that's a testament to Sorrentino's incredible balancing act and some terrific acting by some new young stars.
Located amongst the erupting volcanoes, hilly mountain tops and quiet towns at and near Naples, Italy, a young man tries to quietly discover his identity while finding new friends and dealing with family conflict. The photography is lush in detail with vivid imagery and when the film is at its height of hilarity, it never loses sight of its exceptionally beautiful locations, even when the writing becomes a bit over-the-top.
Split into almost two films, “The Hand Of God” starts off as a goof ball comedy looking to tickle your fancy. The second half, while still comedic at times (and truly insane in others) transforms into a dramatically involving tale of loss. If one had to choose, I preferred the second half due to its more meaningful message. Yet, without either, the film would've suffered from a lack of creativity and hence the reason that "The Hand Of God" worked so effectively.
Fillipo Scotti and Marlon Joubert play brothers in the midst of their chaotic family dysfunction; both are standouts. Scotti's ability to take command of the screen with a slight glance of glee or sadness through the entirety of the film, impresses. Especially considering the change in tones throughout, the cast's performances around Scotti and Joubert feel grounded even through the silliness. This is a personal film for Sorrentino whose childhood was the basis for the story and filmed at the locations he was raised in as a child.
No question, its material can be divisive and I can imagine many in an audience reacting negatively to its crude dialogue and graphic material. But I found none of its scenes of shock to be used in an exploitative or unnecessary fashion but rather a primary function as to why the film is such an overwhelming success. And even while writing this review, it's hard to find major flaws in a film that accepts its identity with such confidence. "The Hand Of God" viscerally entertains but also makes one pensively reflect on life. It's one of the best and most inspiring films of the year.
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