Oscar-winning director Paolo Sorrentino pays tribute to his icons in this intimate Italian coming-of-age drama…
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Starring: Toni Servillo, Teresa Saponangelo, Marlon Joubert
Running time: 130 minutes
Upon winning an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2014 for The Great Beauty, Paolo Sorrentino ended his acceptance speech by praising his three heroes: Federico Fellini, Martin Scorsese and Diego Maradona. The latter hero is the centre for Sorrentino’s new film, Hand of God, set in Napoli in 1984, when Maradona joined Napoli from Barcelona. Maradona’s move sparks a new lease of life in both the city and in the life of Fabietto Schisa, a young student and the central character in Sorrentino’s film.
Fabietto lives in a small apartment along with his mother, father (played by Sorrentino regular Toni Servillo), brother and sister, who in a running joke throughout the film is always in the bathroom. The film follows a traditional coming of age arc as Fabietto grapples with the familiar issues of love, higher education and growing up, all the while slowly coming to terms with his growing love for cinema. Sorrentino is on record as saying that Hand of God is a semi-autobiographical film, stating in a press interview that almost everything in the film is true.
Scattered throughout Hand of God are some excellent comedic moments, from Fabietto’s father’s refusal to buy a new TV with a remote because he’s a communist, through to the large extended Schisa family gatherings that provide a joke a minute.
Sorrentino has made his most personal film to date
Federico Fellini does make a small cameo, albeit unseen after his brother unsuccessfully auditions for a role in one of his films. Fabietto overhears Fellini talking about cinema, which he describes as “an escape from reality” – a moment that leaves a great impression on the young student.
However, the star of Hand of God is Maradona himself, who pops up throughout the film, with his infamous goal against England in the 1986 World Cup – Fabietto’s uncle refers to it as a “political act”, which many England viewers may not necessarily agree with – to helping Napoli win their first Serie A title. Maradona is indirectly involved with a key autobiographical element of Hand of God that has a profound impact on Fabietto.
While many may not regard Hand of God to be on par with, say, The Great Beauty, Sorrentino has made his most personal film to date – and for this reviewer, dare I say my personal favourite.
Did you know? Upon hearing the announcement of the title of Sorrentino’s new film in 2020, Maradona threatened legal action as he thought it was about his goal against England in the 1986 World Cup.
Hand of God is now available on Netflix
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