Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s fictionalized retelling of William and Agnes Shakespeare’s sorrowful period during parenthood, “Hamnet” is a sweeping look into how art heals the deepest wounds.
The film covers how William’s (Paul Mescal) seminal play “Hamlet” came to be, which is speculatively inspired by his family’s sudden loss of son Hamnet. Before the play, William has been producing mostly comedies for the crowd, even if it doesn’t mirror his relationship with his wife Agnes (Jessie Buckley), who’s left alone with their children as he tours his theatre company around London.
“Hamnet” has a pessimistic nature all over. It opens with a monotone encounter with William and Agnes, which led to their families disagreeing with their partnership. When things seemed to go better, the worst of the worst happened. But despite these, the film touches on the importance of art and creating it as a form of therapy.
During the culminating moment when Agnes finally watched Hamlet with the audience, she was left to believe the actor on the stage was his son, realizing soon that it was a small step forward towards healing.
Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal were superb in this movie. This is a movie that only works if the actors can endure and portray an overwhelming weight of emotional baggage. Buckley is a leading favorite to win an Oscar for Best Leading Actress this year, and deservedly so.
It’s also a fitting Chloe Zhao movie. The historical setting may be a detour from her previous works, but her knack for exploring human nature is what sold me.
“Hamnet” is a difficult watch, but I feel it’s an emotionally enriching movie experience. Entertainment doesn’t always have to come from the pleasure of joy; it can also fortify your empathy.
“Hamnet” is showing this 15 January in New Zealand cinemas.
Featured photos from Universal Pictures.
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