Nov. 24, 2021|Italy | United States|130 Min.|R
Genre: Drama
Description: **The Hand of God 2021: A Thoughtful Coming-of-Age Tale in Italian Cinema**
Three years after *Roma*, Netflix has once again provided an Oscar-winning filmmaker with the resources to create a semi-autobiographical film about their youth. This time, it’s Paolo Sorrentino’s *The Hand of God*. Imagine the potential of a triple bill featuring this film alongside Kenneth Branagh’s *Belfast* and Alfonso Cuarón’s *Roma* had all three been released on the same platform.
Breaking away from his signature extravagant style, Sorrentino adopts a more reflective tone in *The Hand of God*. The film lacks the surreal elements that have characterized his recent works—no flamboyant scenes like half-naked Popes strutting to Jimi Hendrix. However, Sorrentino’s fascination with the naked human body and moments of musical magic remains evident. While the film occasionally indulges in flamboyance, it primarily tells a restrained coming-of-age story. It revolves around a teenager whose carefree life is abruptly disrupted by a devastating tragedy. The narrative is divided into two distinct halves: the first is a lighthearted slice-of-life comedy, while the second delves into deeper emotional territory.
The protagonist, Fabietto, spends his days lounging in bed with a Walkman perpetually around his neck—more a fashion statement than a distraction. His evenings are filled with fantasies about his alluring aunt Patrizia, though his greatest passion lies in dreaming of a world where Diego Maradona plays for his beloved Napoli. The film is set in 1984, a time of heightened excitement for Napoli fans, who eagerly speculated whether Maradona would leave his successful career in Barcelona to join their beloved club.
*The Hand of God* offers a poignant exploration of youth, loss, and the enduring power of dreams, all set against the backdrop of a vibrant Italian football culture.
Cast director: Paolo Sorrentino
Cast actor: Filippo Scotti, Toni Servillo, Teresa Saponangelo, Marlon Joubert, Luisa Ranieri, Renato Carpentieri, Massimiliano Gallo, Betti Pedrazzi, Enzo De Caro, Sofya Gershevich
Original name: È stata la mano di Dio