Hamnet

'Remember Me'

Directed by Chloé Zao

125 Minutes

Released by Universal Pictures

Unless you’ve been living under the rock for about 600 years, most people will be aware of William Shakespeare and his body of work but not much is known about his family especially his wife and children.

Hamnet which is adapted from the novel by Maggie O’Farrell and co-written by both the author and Choé Zao who also directs is the story of Shakespeare’s wife Agnes and the tragic event which lead to the creation of what is considered his greatest play, Hamlet.

My only experience of Hamnet before going to see the film was the Royal Shakespeare Company’s stage adaptation so while I was familiar with the story, the details were a little fuzzy but thankfully, the film is accessible so that even someone going in cold can still enjoy it.

The story of Hamnet as mentioned is about Agnes Hathaway (Jessie Buckley), a healer attuned with nature who is seen as an outcast by her stepmother who meets William Shakespeare, a tutor (Paul Mescal )who she falls in love with, later marries and later becomes the mother of three children, Susanna, Judith and Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe). This happy harmony is soon affected by the cruel hand of fate where the plague makes Judith very ill but while she survives, Hamnet sadly dies and we see how his death affected not only Agnes but William as well.

What is interesting about Hamnet is while William Shakespeare is featured in the film, it is not solely about him and the fact you don’t ever hear him referred by his name until quite near the the end of the film which is a deliberate creative choice in order to focus on Agnes and the family.

The direction by Choé Zao is excellent with cinematographer Lukasz Zal providing a look which feels natural and intimate with costumes by Malgosia Turzanska which captures the Tudor period.

In terms of performances, the standout is most certainly Jessie Buckley as Agnes who is captivating as a woman who is at one with nature and who carries a heavy burden and is gut wrenching to see and hear when she finds out that Hamnet has died. Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet is really good and delivers a strong performance. Paul Mescal gives a solid performance as William Shakespeare. Honourable mentions also go to Emily Mortimer as his mother and Joe Alwyn as Agnes’ brother Bartholomew.

Hamnet is a tragedy about grief but unlike Hamlet ends with hope.

With award seasons now in full swing, it is one to watch and one to watch out for.

5/5