Movie Hamnet has powerful impact

The movie “Hamnet,” PG-13, which was released on July 6 of this year is currently available on Netflix. Directed and written by Chloe Zhao, and co-written by Maggie O’Farrell, this historical drama features a well casted crew of actors performing one theory of how the Shakespeare play, “Hamlet” came into existence. Irish actress Jessie Buckley plays the wife of William Shakespeare, Agnes Hathaway. Irish actor Paul Mescal plays William.

 

Though both William and Agnes (historically referred to as Anne) live in Stratford, they are not acquainted until William comes to work in the household which consisted of Agnes, her brother Bartholomew, and their stepmother. William, 18, is tutoring Bartholomew’s children to help pay down a debt William’s father, John, owes to Bartholomew. While there, he sees Agnes and is irresistibly drawn to her. They marry and have a child, but their relationship is strained because William seems to feel constrained in the small-town environment of Stratford. Even though she is pregnant again, Agnes urges William to move to London. He does, and lands a contract selling gloves to a theater company, where he is also given a chance to write. Agnes remains in Stratford as a member of the Shakespeare household, raising their three children: oldest daughter Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith. William visits from London often.

 

To avoid spoilers, I won’t share any more plot elements. But I want to say the movie is exceptionally well done, with an engaging plot and superior acting. Jessie Buckley, who plays Agnes, has won a Best Actress award at the Golden Globes and there have been many nominations for others. This beautiful tragedy is funny, sad, well lit and the sets are spot on. The costume design was very pleasing as well, William Shakespeare wears a light-gray, leather vest throughout most of the movie, and it suits him. Agnes Shakespeare wears a dark red dress throughout most of the movie as well. The chemistry between the family members, father-son, mother-daughter were surprisingly well done. 

 

It is a well-known fact that William and Agnes suffered the loss of their only son, Hamnet, but the details of that tragedy are not known. This movie presents one theory about how that loss may have occurred and how it affected the relationship between Agnes and William. A bit long at times, the slow burn of this tearjerker is two solid hours, but the payoff is well worth the wait. This movie fan gives it a grade of A.   

 

“Hamnet” will be available on Netflix for a ten-month period before it moves on to Peacock, a fellow streaming service.