A Devastating Meditation on Love, Loss, and Legacy
Have you ever wondered about what inspired William Shakespeare to write his plays? Where did his brilliant ideas come from? Well, for novelist Maggie O'Farrell (After You'd Gone), that inquiry led her to pen a fictionalized story of the origin of Hamlet, titled Hamnet (in Stratford, England, "Hamnet" and "Hamlet" were considered the same name), which was published in 2020. Selling over 2 million copies worldwide and translated into 40 languages, Hamnet became a major motion picture this past Fall. Starring Academy Award nominees Jessie Buckley (Wild Rose) and Paul Mescal (Gladiator II), Hamnet is now available for purchase on a 4K collectors' edition combo pack.
Agnes (Buckley) is a daughter of the woods as an herbalist. She considers her to be a witch, but when tutor William Shakespeare (Mescal) sees her going to the woodshed abandons his students to follow her. They consummate their relationship, and Agnes becomes pregnant. William and Agnes marry, and their oldest child is born. Agnes then asks her brother to assist William in becoming a writer and send them to London. William returns home periodically, while Agnes raises their children, Susanna (Bodhi Rae Breathnach; Shelter) and twins Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe; Peter Pan & Wendy) and Judith (newcomer Olivia Lynes). At age 11, when Hamnet dies, supposedly of Bubonic plague, it puts a strain on William and Agnes' marriage. Agnes discovers that William has written a play called Hamlet and, initially angry, she goes to see it, finding healing instead.
While the story is fiction, there are elements of truth in it, such as Shakespeare's success as a playwright and Hamnet's death at age 11. Director and co-writer Chloé Zhao (Nomadland) uses these elements and brings together heartbreaking drama with stunning visuals to create another masterpiece. Her direction of the final act is especially gripping, drawing the audience in even closer to the Shakespeares and their world. She also chose an excellent cast, which helps bring these individuals to life.
From the moment I saw Wild Rose, I said Jessie Buckley was a star and an incredible actor. She once again proves it here as Agnes, the glue that holds the Shakespeare family together. Her performance is transformative as she gives a face to the pain and grief of losing a child. Mescal does a great job as the famous playwright, and his appearance in the play in the third act is mesmerizing. Jupe is also a standout, and I see great things in his future as an actor.
As I mentioned previously, the visuals are incredible, and the Dolby Vision quality showcases them beautifully. The forest is lush and green, and even the dingy and dark surroundings of their home and London are detailed and sharp.
The Dolby Atmos audio is very good as well, with clean dialogue and roaming ambient sounds emanating from the surround speakers. The forest scenes, especially with Agnes and her hawk, are gripping and robust and leave nothing to the imagination. The entire soundtrack rumbles just beneath the surface throughout the film.
The combo pack comes in an ornate case and includes the 4K disc, Blu-ray disc, and digital download. There are a few interesting extras to enjoy, including Audio Commentary with Chloé Zhao, Family is Forever, Cultivating Creativity, and Recreating the Tudor Period. These extras give the audience some insight into what went into creating a period piece with this talented cast.
Hamnet, in and of itself, is a wonderful film, but if you watch it for one thing, it would have to be the exceptional performance given by Buckley. She is practically brilliant in everything she does and Hamnet is no exception. You should own it today! You won't be disappointed.
Grade A-
