The Hand of God
Netflix | Release Date: December 3, 2021
7.3
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 66 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
53
Mixed:
8
Negative:
5
Watch Now
Stream On
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
JLuis_001Dec 17, 2021
The Hand of God is yet another coming-of-age story, but its European-style focus on Fellini-esque romanticism makes it not different or special, but dreamy.

The Hand of God is not an ambitious film, which is quite welcome. I'm tired ofThe Hand of God is yet another coming-of-age story, but its European-style focus on Fellini-esque romanticism makes it not different or special, but dreamy.

The Hand of God is not an ambitious film, which is quite welcome. I'm tired of directors who aspire too much and are totally incapable of making anything really worthwhile.

It's far from perfect, or transcendental, but it's a very practical drama, which was good enough considering both its strengths and weaknesses.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
All this user's reviews
8
bertobellamyDec 17, 2021
If in 'Youth' director Paolo Sorrentino was ruminating about getting old, then 'The Hand of God' is exactly the opposite: a celebration of being young.

This so-called autobiography takes us through his teenage days, when the obsession forIf in 'Youth' director Paolo Sorrentino was ruminating about getting old, then 'The Hand of God' is exactly the opposite: a celebration of being young.

This so-called autobiography takes us through his teenage days, when the obsession for soccer star Diego Maradona affected Naples in every way. There, young Fabietto wanders around getting horny about his aunt and thinking what to do next with this life.

After the grandeur and showiness of 'The Great Beauty,' Sorrentino's new film feels a lot more intimate and restrained; filming back in his hometown sure needed a more personal approach. Either way, the first part offers some funny and very visual vignettes about Fabietto's extravagant family. It's during the second part that the plot gets more reflexive and emotional.

As a coming-of-age, 'The Hand of God strikes the right note, but I felt something was missing, especially when Fabietto discovers his love for cinema, which is kind of sudden. But it all makes sense when the desire for a new reality is apparent — after a big tragedy happens. 'The Great Beauty' remains Sorrentino's greatest achievement, but 'The Hand of God' is his most revelatory work to date.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
8
Brent_MarchantDec 19, 2021
How we get to where we are in life often involves some unusual and seemingly disconnected paths that, at the time, may appear incoherent and wholly unrelated. Yet, somewhere down the road, when we go back and retrace the steps, we can see howHow we get to where we are in life often involves some unusual and seemingly disconnected paths that, at the time, may appear incoherent and wholly unrelated. Yet, somewhere down the road, when we go back and retrace the steps, we can see how they all combine in creating a mosaic of our being, as if bestowed upon us by an invisible source of Higher Power. That's the central theme explored in director Paolo Sorrentino's latest offering, a semi-autobiographical tale revealing how an unfocused Italian teen growing up in Naples in the 1980s found his way to filmmaking as a vocation thanks to the influences provided by a funny but dysfunctional family, infatuations with a trio of older women, an assortment of colorful ancillary characters, a terrible tragedy and the admiration of a soccer sensation. While the film is somewhat episodic and in need of more back story for the protagonist, it nevertheless provides an attention-holding journey filled with unexpected twists and turns, as well as the signature Fellini-esque quirkiness found in many of the filmmaker's other offerings. The drastic changes in mood occasionally make the narrative somewhat ponderous, but, in that regard, this amalgamation of different tones evokes a realistic portrait of life, one that seldom follows a predictable and set pattern in its unfolding. Like most of Sorrentino's pictures, this one won't appeal to everyone, especially those with more conventional tastes. But, for those who enjoy a taste of the off-beat, this heartfelt rendering of the evolution of one individual's singular life experience fills the bill nicely.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
4
jake-bDec 15, 2021
Autobiography and whimsy are the last refuge of imaginative bankruptcy? This defanged Fellini family history is pleasant enough, but "distraction" (see the movie, you'll understand) is about the best one could say for it.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
9
redder01Dec 15, 2021
I really liked this movie, It is shot beautifully, and the characters are interesting as well.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
8
AJ_13Dec 26, 2021
Captivating, magical and stunning. More conventional than his previous work, yet it reunites all Sorrentino's ingredients.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
10
HabibiehakimDec 28, 2021
It's a very very good movie and in fact i wanted more, The Hand Of God is a very great intimate representation of Paolo Sorrentino's life, it's strongly perform, it's beautifully well shot and composed, and it's a really well written story,It's a very very good movie and in fact i wanted more, The Hand Of God is a very great intimate representation of Paolo Sorrentino's life, it's strongly perform, it's beautifully well shot and composed, and it's a really well written story, The Hand Of God is a personal movie, but it's a very good one that everybody must go to see it, it's one of the best films of the year.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
10
toddandersonDec 12, 2021
The Hand of God is Paolo Sorrentino's best. Netflix is good for making this accessible worldwide..
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
10
Treasure188Dec 12, 2021
This is why coming of age movies are the best. I really hope that people will appreciate this film.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
10
gwtgrtrghrthDec 12, 2021
Paolo Sorrentino gets personal in this movie. A beautiful coming of age film.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
0
noob328Dec 17, 2021
It might be hoped that the passage of time could give him some fond or melancholy distance from such material, but Sorrentino serves up his memories in an unappealingly inert and flat manner
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
All this user's reviews
9
alejandro970Jan 7, 2022
Qué tanto pueden relacionarse la adolescencia y el fútbol? Bastante. Aunque por momentos da la impresión que la trama se toma su tiempo sabe ponernos en medio del entorno familiar y experimentar las experiencias del protagonistas, que noQué tanto pueden relacionarse la adolescencia y el fútbol? Bastante. Aunque por momentos da la impresión que la trama se toma su tiempo sabe ponernos en medio del entorno familiar y experimentar las experiencias del protagonistas, que no todas son para bien, desde luego. Habría sido bueno verla en cine.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
6
TVJerryDec 17, 2021
Italian writer/director Paolo Sorrentino won an Oscar for The Great Beauty in 2014. This film focuses on his own adolescence in 80s Naples. Instead of a linear narrative, there are slice-of-life moments that portray his love of family, hisItalian writer/director Paolo Sorrentino won an Oscar for The Great Beauty in 2014. This film focuses on his own adolescence in 80s Naples. Instead of a linear narrative, there are slice-of-life moments that portray his love of family, his admiration of Argentine soccer player Diego Maradona and his discovery of cinema. Sorrentino’s style may be familiar to lovers of Italian films: lingering shots of people and places, disjointed scenes, deliberate pacing and attractive cinematography. It’s a sweet story with eccentric supporting characters that border on Fellini (who’s also referenced in the film). Foreign film lovers may find it charming (this is Italy’s nomination for this year), but anyone expecting a fast-paced, plot-driven American style will likely be disappointed.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
Mauro_LanariJan 1, 2022
(Mauro Lanari)
Sorrentino racconta il proprio adolescenziale "oro di Napoli" schiantato in due dalla morte dei protagonisti, i suoi genitori. Una struttura narrativa osata e usata solo da Friedkin in "Vivere e morire a Los Angeles" nell'85,(Mauro Lanari)
Sorrentino racconta il proprio adolescenziale "oro di Napoli" schiantato in due dalla morte dei protagonisti, i suoi genitori. Una struttura narrativa osata e usata solo da Friedkin in "Vivere e morire a Los Angeles" nell'85, ma in quel caso era fiction, seppur grandiosa. I critici paragonano la prima metà del film ad "Amarcord". Vi è citato un aneddoto, suppongo apocrifo: "A un certo punto lo chiama un giornalista e Fellini gli fa: 'Il cinema non serve a niente, però ti distrae...dalla realtà. La realtà è scadente.'" Una dichiarazione di poetica per interposto cineasta: l'emulo mir'a un affresco corale però gli riesce un acquarello stinto, una blanda messinscena circense. Come ha dichiarato in altre occasioni, vorrebbe darsi alla commedia ma gli escono dei drammi. Oppure nessuno dei due, aggiungo io. Poi, dalle convulsioni dell'alter ego Fabietto, smette di gigioneggiare. I critici paragonano la seconda metà del film a "I vitelloni". Non credo che quest'insistiti raffronti felliniani gli giovino: la fuga di Moraldo verso Roma, lontano dalla "pochezza dell'esistenza di chi ha perso il Paradiso e cercherà di ricostruirlo attraverso la finzione dei set" (Paola Casella), qui è descritta con una nostalgia formale diversa. Del virtuosistico piano sequenza iniziale col drone sul golfo partenopeo resta il ricordo del suono degli offshore in campo nero. Quando non è discontinuo, Sorrentino colpisce al cuor'e fa male. Dopo vent'anni di carriera, mi piacerebbe che ripartisse da qui.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
Bradh6886Jan 11, 2022
The Hand of God is a standard coming of age family drama without anything interesting or unique to say. Some interesting shots here and there and a good score that has its scattered moments, but ultimately the bland performances make it quiteThe Hand of God is a standard coming of age family drama without anything interesting or unique to say. Some interesting shots here and there and a good score that has its scattered moments, but ultimately the bland performances make it quite a bit of a drag.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
ImmortalPancakeJan 1, 2022
A personal, emotional and an arresting tale that touches many different themes. However, some of those themes feel messy and half baked.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
gomesXJan 11, 2022
Confessions of love to cinema are always difficult to film. Vittorio and Paolo Taviani (Fiorile), Baaria (Giuseppe Tornatore), Amarcord (Federico Fellini). And there are many, many more authors, directors and films to whom he pays homage withConfessions of love to cinema are always difficult to film. Vittorio and Paolo Taviani (Fiorile), Baaria (Giuseppe Tornatore), Amarcord (Federico Fellini). And there are many, many more authors, directors and films to whom he pays homage with respect and love. Paolo Sorrentino goes beyond Fellini and Tornatore. He looks to the future. He confesses his love for cinema, his beloved city and his heroes. They will have to build the future. What will it be? each has its own. This film reminded me of something like “Lavoura Arcaica” (Director Luiz Fernando Carvalho). The old stay, the young seek happiness far from themselves. But you can't leave yourself anywhere. This is the future - to find yourself in your hometown, in your homeland. Even emigrating to another city will never forgive your hometown. Made with love.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
More From This Movie

76 Critic Reviews

7.3 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 77 Project Hail Mary
2 75 Send Help
3 73 Hoppers
4 71 The Sheep Detectives
5 68 Crime 101
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL