A lyrical ode to family, fate, and the future, The Hand of God is an autobiographical coming-of-age story written and directed by The Great Beauty Oscar-winner Paolo Sorrentino. Drawing from his experience as a listless teenager in 1980’s Naples, The Hand of God tells the story of Fabietto (Filippo Scotti) who mostly just chills with his rambunctious older family until a cruel twist of fate leaves him reeling and searching for a way forward.
Deeply personal, Hand of God explores Sorrentino’s glazed-over years as a philosophy-reading teen, his awkward sexual awakening at the hands of an unexpected benefactor, and the incestuous romantic tension he shares with his mentally unstable aunt Patrizia (Luisa Ranieri). Like any European coming-of-age story worth its salt, there’s no shortage of horrifying sexual tension laced throughout Fabietto’s journey and Sorrentino leans into the transformational power of his alter-ego’s perversions.
Giving emphasize to the idea that, “You never know what’s going on in other people’s homes,” Sorrentino unspools the dramas of his own flawed family – the infidelity, the violent outbursts, the helpless flunkies who drift in and out of their gatherings – but suggests that his was a family built on a foundation of unconditional love and support. And plentiful ribbings at any and all family gatherings.
As Fabietto tries to rebalance his life, he dreams of becoming a film director – living under the shadow of his countryman Federico Fellini. Here, Sorrentino reveals a sentimental side and nods to all those who made him both the man and director he is today.
Battling scenes of the melancholic and the laugh out loud funny play out with Sorrentino finding much of both the comedy and tragedy in the badgering dynamics of this big family. His portrait of Fabietto and his family is one of a most turbulent crossroads, and basks in the natural splendors of the Amalfi coast. Even on the small screen, the might of the Italian coastline remains imposing. Sizing up the wannabe filmmaker. Challenging his ambitions.
What begins as a chill hangout movie evolves into a mature meditation on purpose and finding purpose. On having something to say and discovering the voice to be able to say it. On letting go of childish things, leaving your family behind, and becoming your own man. Particularly when you have no say in the matter. Sufficed to say, Sorrentino has created another great beauty.
CONCLUSION: Paolo Sorrentino’s striking coming-of-age drama sinks into the gaiety of family history and the pangs of family tragedy as the hand of fate throws a young man’s future into question. Handsomely filmed and emotionally solvent, ‘The Hand of God’ is an impressive and natural progression for the soulful Italian filmmaker.
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By: Matt Oakes
Started blogging about film in college when the university paper wouldn’t have him. Dislikes your consensus film Twitter favorites. Devotee of horror movies that make him die a little inside. Catches films at festivals when he can. Proud SFCS and OFCS member and Tomatometer-approved critic. Editor-in-chief of Silver Screen Riot.
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