343. The Hand Of God (È stata la mano di Dio); movie review

 

 

THE HAND OF GOD (È STATA A MANO DI DIO)

Cert 15

130 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, sex, domestic abuse

One of the potential joys of being a film-maker must be the ability to bring life to misty personal memories.

Paolo Sorrentino is now 51 and has won the highest accolades for his movies, including an Oscar,

But he has never created anything as personal as Hand Of God, a recollection of his formative years in his home city of Naples.

This has already been lavished with critical acclaim and is the Italian entry to the annual Academy Awards.

Sorrentino captures the fun of growing up with the inevitable heartaches and tragedies and wraps them up in a movie which has great beauty.

His auto-biographical story is seen through the eyes of Fabietto (Filippo Scotti) - the younger son of a banker (Toni Servillo) and prankster housewife (Teresa Saponangelo).

Fabietto is a loner who would love to find a girl or even a friend but, for now, settles for fun and love among his family.

Actually, he would find carnal love there too - if his wayward aunt (Luisa Ranieri) had her way.

The family's practical jokes and mockery of individuals elicits belly laughs and smiles are prompted by the love denoted by the whistles of Fabietto's mum and dad to each other.

The comedy-drama is set in the 1980s and played out as the world most famous footballer, Diego Maradona, is rumoured to be an unlikely imminent signing for the Naples team, Napoli.

Maradona most infamous goal was against England in the quarter-final of the World Cup when he flicked the ball into the net with his fingers.

Just as, in his view, the Hand Of God played its part then, so it does in the Fabietto's family history.

Some might say the dovetailing is contrived but it is not overplayed and, therefore, fits.

This is thanks to some sublime directing by a man who has a very personal attachment to the material and a cast who lovingly translate his tale.

Reasons to watch: Splendidly offbeat comedy

Reasons to avoid: Will be too absurd for some

Laughs: Two

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? This was Paolo Sorrentino's first time shooting in his hometown of Naples since his directorial debut One Man Up (2001).

The final word. Paolo Sorrentino: "This story is told through the eyes of the boy I used to be, and he couldn’t see that nobody can live in a permanently joyful world, even if that’s the way it appeared to be.” Town & Country

Share this post