Critics Weigh In on Oscar Isaac’s Drama ‘In the Hand of Dante’ as Rotten Tomatoes Score Revealed

Julian Schnabel’s new drama ‘In the Hand of Dante’ has debuted with a star-studded cast and a narrative that intertwines crime, history, art, and one of literature’s most renowned works. Featuring Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, John Malkovich, Al Pacino, Jason Momoa, and Martin Scorsese, early reviews indicate that this ambitious project has struggled to resonate with critics.

Directed by Schnabel, who co-wrote the screenplay with Louise Kugelberg, the film is adapted from Nick Tosches’ 2002 novel of the same name. It tells two interconnected stories set in different eras.

In the contemporary storyline, a writer named Nick Tosches embarks on a perilous mission after a mafia boss requests him to steal a handwritten copy of Dante Alighieri’s ‘The Divine Comedy’ from the Vatican library. Simultaneously, the film follows Dante himself in the 14th century as he seeks inspiration for his iconic work.

The film delves into themes of art, love, obsession, and the quest for meaning. Through its parallel narratives, ‘In the Hand of Dante’ connects two men separated by centuries but united by their yearning to comprehend beauty and creativity.

Despite its intriguing premise and impressive ensemble, critics have largely delivered unfavorable reviews. Currently, the film holds a 34% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 29 reviews.

The New York Times critic Jeannette Catsoulis praised certain aspects of the film, particularly its visual style, but felt the overall execution fell short. She remarked that the performances are intense and the black-and-white scenes are visually stunning, yet described the film as an “overlong and disastrously ill-judged project.”

RogerEbert.com critic Brian Tallerico also offered a negative review, likening its shortcomings to other ambitious films that leave viewers perplexed. He noted that, similar to Megalopolis, there is a sense that “only the filmmaker fully understands what in Dante’s fiery Hell all of this is supposed to mean.”

Other reviewers echoed concerns regarding the film’s narrative and structure. Brian Eggert from Deep Focus Review mentioned that while the film’s exploration of art and commerce is compelling, it lacks a strong emotional core. He stated that the commentary does not compensate for its “lackluster love story.”

Mark Dujsik of Mark Reviews Movies criticized the film’s execution, suggesting it feels like exaggerated narratives that fail to coalesce. Meanwhile, Brian Orndorf of Blu-ray.com described the film as a challenging watch but acknowledged it contains moments of intriguing ideas and bursts of energy.

Not all critiques focused solely on the story. Some reviewers pointed to the film’s unconventional tone, lengthy runtime, and complex narrative as significant issues. Several critics felt Schnabel’s vision was overly ambitious, even as they recognized the creativity behind the project.

With its extensive cast and unique blend of historical drama and crime thriller elements, ‘In the Hand of Dante’ was clearly intended to be a bold artistic endeavor. However, initial reactions suggest that many critics found the film’s ambition to outpace its execution.

While audience reactions may vary, the first wave of reviews indicates that Schnabel’s latest film is poised to be one of the more contentious releases of the year.

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