What to watch this week: Gal Gadot buoyant in an otherwise sinking ship in 'In the Hand of Dante'

Gal Gadot fans have eagerly awaited the release of "In the Hand of Dante," directed by Julian Schnabel, which recently began streaming on Netflix. The film promised a chance for the "Wonder Woman" star to showcase her acting range in a drama centered on a literary mystery: the discovery of the manuscript of Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy."

However, the film, based on Nick Tosches' 2002 novel, has been widely described as an "overlong, pretentious mess." Schnabel, a renowned painter who transitioned to filmmaking, is known for earlier works like "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." "In the Hand of Dante" deviates significantly from the careful scripting of his previous successes, presenting a muddled narrative.

The plot revolves around the manuscript's surfacing in New York, where a gangster hires a novelist and Dante expert, also named Nick Tosches, to authenticate it. The contemporary storyline, filmed in black and white, is interspersed with colorful scenes from Dante's life. Oscar Isaac delivers a strong performance in the dual role of Nick and Dante, supported by a cast including Gerard Butler, John Malkovich, and Martin Scorsese.

Gal Gadot plays dual roles: an assistant helping the contemporary Nick with his research and Gemma Donati, Dante's wife, in the medieval storyline. While Gadot looks striking and delivers her lines with enthusiasm, her roles are considered underdeveloped. Despite the film's chaotic nature, Gadot manages to maintain her dignity, a feat not all actors could achieve. Her chemistry with Isaac is noted, suggesting potential for future collaborations.

Despite the film's shortcomings, the reviewer sensed a potentially interesting literary mystery buried within its 150-minute runtime. Ultimately, the film is deemed to suffer from a lack of decisive editing, leaving the viewer to endure a lengthy and unfocused experience, although Gadot emerges as one of its few bright spots.

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I know this poem so well, I feel like I wrote it myself.