HAMNET is the story of a happy loving family, heartbroken by grief, and allowed to find some kind of catharsis through art. It just so happens that the family are Will and Agnes Shakespeare, married for love in Stratford, parents to three wonderful children. While Will is in London putting on his latest play at The Globe, the bubonic plague strikes, and takes away his young son Hamnet. In her desperate grief, Agnes lashes out at Will, and he gives his son another life in the tragedy of what would have been seen as the same name in that era. A grieving mother can see her son full-grown, and acting out his dream of being on the stage. It’s a moment of wonderful emotional release.
Writer-director Chloe Zao (NOMADLAND) has created an utterly beautiful, sensitive and heart-breaking adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s critically acclaimed and beloved novel Hamnet. She has a sure visual sense and an eye for hauntingly beautiful staging. This is, however, a movie that showcases performances above all. AsJessie Buckley has been raw and vulnerable and brilliant for years, but with Agnes she has finally found a big mainstream movie that could see her get her flowers. This is her movie and my god she is its very heart and soul. But let’s not discount Paul Mescal as Will Shakespeare. The scene where he breaks down backstage at The Globe is just heart-wrenchingly well done. And finally, a massive amount of praise is due to young Jacobi Jupe who plays Hamnet, and in a master-stroke of casting is the real-life younger brother of the actor who plays Hamlet.
I cannot say any more than that I would not change a single frame of this film. I loved the book and love this adaptation. It is a deceptively pure and simple tale, told with restraint when needed, and full-throated emotion for impact. It is a stunning piece of work.
HAMNET has a running time of 125 minutes. It played Telluride, Toronto and London. It opens in the USA on November 27th and in the UK on January 9th.
No comments:
Post a Comment