Netflix has quietly released the film 'In the Hand of Dante' in select cinemas today, despite the movie being heavily criticized by critics at its Venice Film Festival premiere last year. The new film from acclaimed director Julian Schnabel unfortunately proves that 15 years in development does not guarantee a masterpiece.
A Familiar Tale of Overindulgence
Like Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis' in 2024, 'In the Hand of Dante' gives the impression of a veteran filmmaker running wild, resulting in an overly indulgent and, at times, incomprehensible film that attempts to tackle major themes but will likely leave audiences baffled. Schnabel has assembled a star-studded and somewhat random cast, including Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, Jason Momoa, Al Pacino, John Malkovich, Franco Nero, and even Martin Scorsese.
Plot and Performances
The ambitious story sees Isaac playing Italian literary giant Dante Alighieri, charting the journey of a handwritten manuscript of his 14th-century masterpiece 'The Divine Comedy' from the Vatican library to a New York mob boss and to journalist Nick Tosches (also Isaac) in 2001, to verify its authenticity. Tosches wrote the novel the movie is based on, which includes a fictionalized version of himself. Schnabel went a step further by making Tosches the reincarnation of Dante, alongside Gadot as both Dante's wife Gemma and Nick's temporary assistant.
Despite the convoluted plot, there are some bright spots. Al Pacino delivers an extended cameo as Nick's uncle during his childhood, mastering the film's confusing swings between high drama and comedy with total believability. Isaac also does his best in two very challenging roles, succeeding slightly better as the chaotic and sleazy Nick. Gerard Butler is a pleasant surprise in his own dual role as a particularly nasty gangster and an oddly Scottish Italian pope, clearly deciding that the film is a comedy and making his performances work all the better.
Disjointed Tone and Violence
Unfortunately, Gadot's parts are both underwritten and over-the-top, and she fails to shine. The film is described by Schnabel as a tragicomedy, but it comes across as noir, satire, melodrama, and absurdist comedy depending on the scene, highlighting its disjointed tone. The movie is also very violent in places, including a vile mafia execution by Butler's character and a scene involving fingernails being torn off by teeth.
Final Verdict
'In the Hand of Dante' is a sprawling, overly ambitious mess that is hard to follow at times, despite some of its actors' best efforts. However, if you enjoyed 'Megalopolis's' perplexing excess, this may be one for you. The film is in select UK cinemas from today and will stream exclusively on Netflix from June 24.
