New drama In the Hand of Dante starring Oscar Isaac and Gerard Butler has just landed on Netflix. The film is adapted from the 2002 novel of the same name by Nick Tosches, and centres on the manuscript of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy.
The handwritten original is found in the Vatican library, before falling into the hands of a New York mob boss and then finding its way to Tosches (played by Isaac). The Beef star also portrays Dante in scenes depicting the iconic Italian writer creating the masterpiece.
After premiering at last year’s Venice Film Festival, the movie is available to stream on Netflix as of today following a short US theatrical run.
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Alongside Isaac and Butler – the latter playing Louie and Pope Boniface VIII – In the Hand of Dante also features Aquaman’s Jason Momoa as Rosario, Opus’ John Malkovich as Joe Black, Wonder Woman’s Gal Gadot as Giulietta and Gemma Donati, The Godfather’s Al Pacino as Uncle Carmine.
Director Martin Scorsese also features as Isaiah, while the movie itself is helmed and co-written by The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’s Julian Schnabel.
In the Hand of Dante wasn’t the biggest hit with critics, sitting at only 38% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes based on 26 reviews.
The Hollywood Reporter called it “bonkers” and “wildly uneven”, adding: “Even when it goes off the rails, In the Hand of Dante is never dull. And there is always something glorious to look at.”
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Variety suggested it was “a folly that pulsates with life”, and that “even when it doesn’t add up, it’s the kind of high-flying ride it’s hard to shake off”.
However, TheWrap said: “The film may be unbridled, unfettered and bold, but sometimes those adjectives aren’t complimentary. You can boldly make the greatest movie of all time and you can boldly walk face-first into brick wall. At least Schnabel’s wall has pretty pictures on it.”
Little White Lies added that “Schnabel’s film isn’t even entertaining enough to count as a compelling disaster”.
In the Hand of Dante is streaming now on Netflix.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ as a sub-editor.