"Critique of 'In the Hand of Dante': Julian Schnabel's Vital yet Flawed Literary Gangster Film"
In the world of cinema, Julian Schnabel's latest offering, "In the Hand of Dante," is creating quite a stir. The film, an adaptation of Nick Tosches' 2002 novel, made its debut at the prestigious Venice Film Festival.
At the heart of the story is Dante Alighieri, played by Oscar Isaac, who finds himself entangled in the complexities of his own life, mirroring the turmoil in his famous poem, The Divine Comedy. Dante's marriage to Guilietta serves as a problematic theme in the film, as he learns the hard way about the mistakes of being outside one's own marriage and life.
The film's protagonist, Nick, played by an unnamed actor, finds himself in a new relationship with Gemma, his Italian work assistant, who aids him in his manuscript research. However, things take a dramatic turn when Nick is hired to authenticate the manuscript and, in a twist of events, impersonates a historian to do so.
The first half of "In the Hand of Dante" is described as skewed, violent, and gripping, with standout performances by Gerard Butler as Louie and John Malkovich as Joe Black. Louie, a character who works for a loan shark, is depicted with a sociopathic blunt-wittedness, while Joe, an art aficionado with a Rembrandt self-portrait in his possession, is a character of intrigue.
Joe's character desires the manuscript and convinces Louie and Nick to steal it for millions. However, their plans are thwarted by an Italian scholar with a gangster boyfriend who comes after Nick.
Benjamin Clementine takes on the role of Mephistopheles, adding another layer of mystery to the film. The most priceless literary treasure in the film, the original parchment manuscript of The Divine Comedy, was discovered in the Vatican's basement, further enhancing the film's historical authenticity.
Al Pacino plays a gravel-voiced gangster mensch in "In the Hand of Dante," adding star power to the already impressive cast. The film's message is to embrace the world around us and the idea that God is present in every moment.
"In the Hand of Dante" is an impossible-to-pigeonhole literary gangster mystery that promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. With its complex characters, gripping plot, and historical setting, it's a film not to be missed.
