THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED,
When things happen, it is hard to figure out if they can lead to worse or better things.
PLOT
The Hand of God or É stata la mano di Dio takes place in 1980s Naples and follows the young adult Fabietto who lives with his older brother Marchino and their parents, Saverio and Maria Schisa. Due to not having any friends, nor is he dating anyone, Marchino takes him along to his acting auditions and sympathizes his crush over his attractive yet emotionally troubled Aunt Patrizia. Although he openly admits to majoring in psychology when he goes to college, he gains interest in film when witnessing a film being in the middle of production, directed by Antonio Capuano. The marriage between his parents become strained when Maria discovers Saverio to be unfaithful. Amends are made only after they move into a new home. Wanting to keep Fabietto’s mind off of it, he takes him to a soccer game and shows him where he first met his mother. Due to getting season tickets, he befriends a man named Armando (Biagio Manna) after one of the games. Once he and his family have moved into their new home, their time of happiness appears to reach its end: Saverio and Maria would tragically die in their new household due to a carbon monoxide leak. Although Marchino would loudly weep for this loss once he found out, Fabietto would break down tearlessly when the hospital refused to let him see their bodies. After the funeral, the latter chooses to check in with Aunt Patrizia on occasion when discovering she got checked in to a psychiatric ward. He even gets seduced by his widowed neighbor Baronessa Elisabetta Focale (Betty Pedrazzi), after he rids a bat from her apartment, claiming that it was to help him look to the future. When he hangs out with Armando one night, his acquaintance assaults someone in public and is later arrested for it. Marchino on the other hand has given up acting and plans to go to Stromboli for the summer with his girlfriend, distracting himself from the responsibilities he must come around to face. As for Fabié, he wants to make a move and head to Rome. After the brothers say goodbye to each other, he later says goodbye to Armando as well. He also gets to meet Capuano who gives him advice as a filmmaker: Embrace originality and be brave to share what you have to say. After he says goodbye to Aunt Patrizia the film ends with him boarding a train that’ll likely take him to Rome.
THOUGHTS
As I continued to check off my Oscar watchlist for 2022, I noticed this film nominated for Best International Feature. While I don’t rush myself to that category, I couldn’t help but see if this was worth the hype. When I found it on Netflix, I ended up enjoying it more than I expected. This one stands out because Writer/Director Paolo Sorrentino gives a captivating perspective on how we must find our calling and not let tragedy hold us back from what we want to do. Grieving can make you numb, but it is also oddly capable of kickstarting the ambition you dare to show. Without question, this would’ve not been realized without the outstanding cast. Our lead Filippo Scotti is downright mesmerizing for playing Fabié as a young boy who is trying to figure himself out. He has his interests, but he didn’t know how to motivate himself to go for it. Oddly enough, losing his parents was the push he needed to chase his dreams. He knew that he had to do something with his life now that he has no one to take care of him but himself. While losing them was the worst thing to happen to him, meeting Capuano was the best because his mind became clear to express his feelings through art that is film. He tells him "Don't Come Undone" which means to not lose composure or self control. While Fabié does not know that yet, he will creatively figure it out through the movies he'll make. While it's uncertain if he'll really go to Rome, he does the right thing leaving Naples because he's inspiring people, particularly his siblings to not let bad things ruin their mindset, prevent them from meeting their goals. Yes I say siblings because throughout the film, he had a sister named Daniela (Roseella Di Lucca), who remained unseen until the end because every scene we heard her voice came from the bathroom. Seeing her come out of the bathroom for the first time and noticing her cry represents how at some point, we all have to grow up and we have to put in the effort to try. She realizes that and is scared of the obstacles that are gonna come her way. Marlon Joubert was memorable for making Marchino the best brother Fabié could ever have. He supported his goals and invited him to his auditions, not wanting him to be alone. The death of their parents broke him big time because he realized that he didn't have the perseverance to be a good actor. Off of that, he became uncertain on what direction he wanted to make. Not knowing where to go now, he's just chose to take life as it is. He didn't stop his brother leaving because he is proud that he will likely create the opportunities he couldn't get. Toni Servillo and Teresa Saponangelo felt like a real couple when respectively playing Saverio & Maria. They had such unconditional love onscreen, showing that whatever conflict comes their way, they will figure it out as best they can. Saverio was wrong to cheat on his wife and because he doesn't deny being such, Maria stays with him until their tragic conclusion. Last but not least, it is easy to remember Patrizia for her beauty, which can be expected when being played by an actress like Luisa Ranieri. Fabié was crazy about her because he adored how carefree she was, but in reality, she was struggling as her head wasn't in the right place, which made sense as her marriage was rocky due to how she couldn't have children. She knew something was wrong with her, that her head wasn't in the right place and wisely decided to be committed to a ward. Knowing it was her decision instead of it being forced by her impatient husband was something I respected a lot because it told me that as long as you are aware with the decisions you make, no one should judge you for it. In short, The Hand of God is another 2021 gem for being the most unique coming of age story to behold. If you have Netflix and dig those kind of stories, check this out if you can.
ความคิดเห็น