Released on Nov. 26, “Hamnet,” directed by Chloe Zhao and adapted from the novel by Maggie O’Farrell, is a striking period drama starring Jessie Buckley (Agnes) and Paul Mescal (William Shakespeare).
Not to be confused with the play, “Hamlet,” “Hamnet” follows the love and family life of Agnes and Shakespeare along with the unfortunate passing of their son, Hamnet, which inspires the Bard to write “Hamlet” in his grief.
Buckley’s performance as Agnes, a woman rumoured to be a witch and Shakespeare’s wife, is incredibly vulnerable and raw. The complexity of her character as a woman looked down upon in her village and as a mother who wrestles with grief is effortlessly played by Buckley. Her natural aptitude to storytelling through acting finds a place in every scene she’s in. Buckley tackled this tough script with a level of nuance that has already won her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Motion Picture.
Mescal’s portrayal of Shakespeare humbles the image of the Bard. He plays Shakespeare not just as the talented playwright, but as a loving father and husband. Mescal’s stand-out scene would be when he is looking over the River Thames, reciting the “Hamlet” soliloquy, every line dripping with grief for his son. Mescal’s take on the Bard reveals the humanity of a writer many revere and put on a pedestal.
One major criticism that “Hamnet” faced was that it may have been overly emotional. It’s true that “Hamnet” is a heavy film to watch and at times difficult to stomach, as its major plot point is the death of a son who never reached the age of 10. However, it’s crucial to recognize that this film wasn’t made to be easy to watch. It’s a commentary on how humans handle grief and how grief can manifest as, in this case, arguably one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays, “Hamlet.”
