Chloe Zhao’s reimagining of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel from 2020 is the one we have been waiting for. A contemporary, hugely lauded work of fiction set in the historical heavyweight of Shakespeare’s origin story of Hamlet, then turned into a cinematic delight by a director at the top of her game. Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley are set to stun us in a rare treat of a costume drama whose roots are old but whose body is fresh.
William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes, celebrate the birth of their son, Hamnet. However, when tragedy strikes and Hamnet dies at a young age, it inspires Shakespeare to write his timeless masterpiece “Hamlet.”
“Hamnet is a great work of empathy and the best film Chloé Zhao has made by quite a wide margin. Adapted from the 2020 novel by Maggie O’Farrell, who returns here as co-writer, the film serves as a lovely reminder of why art is important, how watching something can make you feel, make you understand, make you consider. This is an achingly beautiful film, one composer Max Richter underlines with a score that will live on on its own. Cinematographer Łukasz Żal is patient with his camera; Zhao is patient with her pace. The fluidity of movement allows for every emotion to sneak up on you. It’s like a magic trick.” – The Film Stage
Starring:
Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley
Directed By:
Chloe Zhao
Running time:
125 mins