The Tragedy of Hamnet: ‘Hamnet’ Review

No one moved as the credits rolled. Everyone is sitting in the glow of the screen, the outro music being the only sound heard throughout the theater. Every person in the auditorium was reflecting back upon the emotional journey that they had just taken together. I imagine this was not an isolated case, but a mirror image of other theaters that debuted Chloé Zhao’s historical drama, based upon the life and love of history’s greatest playwright and poet, ‘Hamnet’. ‘Hamnet’, simply put, is a masterpiece. From start to finish, it is truly an exceptional journey that gets at the heart of grief, relationships, and loss. The set, the cinematography, the cast, all of it left me in absolute awe. This film is everything you’ve heard and more. A masterclass in filmmaking, a clinic in acting, ‘Hamnet’ is why we go to the movies.

Following the life and relationship of William and Agnes Shakespeare, ‘Hamnet’ delves into the personal lives of the Shakespeare family like no film before it. Beginning with the budding relationship of William and Agnes, continuing through the birth of their children, the story truly ebbs and flows eloquently, hitting the highs, and, ultimately, crashing down to the lowest of lows following the death of Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet. In the aftermath of his son’s death, Shakespeare returns to London and writes, quite possibly, the greatest piece ever performed on stage in ‘Hamlet’, shaped by the experience and the loss. Agnes is left at home to grieve and support the family that Shakespeare left behind. The film’s story alone moved me in ways I haven’t been in quite some time. It was heartbreaking, yet endearing, a truly remarkable lesson in storytelling that will undoubtedly stick with audiences long after the credits roll.

What Light Through Yonder Window Breaks

At its very core, ‘Hamnet’ is a period piece set in the late 16th century, a setting that the film replicates remarkably well in just about every way. In my OTHER life, I have a Master’s Degree in European History, where I spent much of my time researching Tudor, as well as Stuart, England to an almost mind-numbing degree. Naturally, I looked at the surroundings and the dress as well as how people acted and spoke throughout the film.

‘Hamnet’ absolutely delivers on accurate historical representation down to just how dirty and gross London was during that era. Agnes’ refusal to move there as a result of the conditions of the city would have been common. When we find ourselves on the streets of London, it’s depicted as it should be, stinking of death and pollution. For a film like ‘Hamnet’ to work, the audience must be immersed. They have to forget that they are watching a film. The film delivers this in spades, leaving this historian movie reviewer well impressed.

Read More: The Trials and Tribulations of Family: Sentimental Value Review

Chloé Zhao achieves a sense of historical accuracy while maintaining a truly heartwrenching story of love and loss throughout. It was integral that these two pieces work hand in hand. When one of the children grew ill, and Hamnet went to lie with them, I audibly said, “Oh no.” I knew the historical context and the consequences of what was happening. Zhao’s attention to detail when it came to their illness lent itself so well to the grief the film was inflicting upon the audience.

Zhao’s film work and eye for a scene were remarkable. I was engrossed and engaged throughout the entirety of this film. Many times when I do reviews, I think about how many times I touch my cell phone, and, in this particular case, I forgot I even had one. There will be many names in the Best Director categories in the coming awards season; Zhao’s name will undoubtedly be near the top.

Do You Not Hope Your Children Shall Be Kings?

As with all films, they would be nothing without their cast. Many of the conversations will revolve around Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, which have more than enough merit, and we’ll get to them, but the children in this film were spectacular. Jacobi Jupe deserves award nods from every major award there is to give, and that’s a hill I’m more than willing to die on. He’s transcendent for such a young age, more than holding his own with the likes of Buckley and Mescal. Jupe was mesmerizing, and I absolutely can’t wait to see what his career has in store. Bodhi Rae Breathnach and Olive Lynes were more than up to the task as well. Both providing riveting performances, with Lynes bringing me to tears more than once.

Of course, as mentioned, much of the discourse will revolve around the leads of ‘Hamnet’ and deservedly so. Jessie Buckley nails the grief of a mother trying to hold together a home while her husband is gone. Her portrayals of childbirth felt real. When she screamed, the audience felt it. My wife, who attended the film with me and had lost her own mother, sobbed when Agnes called for her own. That is a tribute to the powerful performance that Buckley puts on.

Paul Mescal, as the playwright, William Shakespeare, is equally brilliant, capturing social awkwardness yet aloof in an almost relatable way. Mescal portrays the tormented writer quite well, showing the frustration of having a million ideas, but not one can meet paper. When tragedy befalls Shakespeare, Mescal is able to present that in a human way. It felt real, turning his tragedy into a modicum of triumph.

Genuinely, I think what makes this film work so phenomenally well is how real it feels. The performances embody that. It’s almost as if they’ve suffered the loss themselves in real life, and this was their outlet, much like when Mandy Patinkin (Inigo Montoya) defeats his father’s cancer (Count Rugen). Good film works because it feels real. This has been a theme of the movies I’ve seen and reviewed this year, but that seems to be more of what people need. In a world of AI and misinformation, we need a story of heartache that feels real because reality seems so fake.

Final Thought:

‘Hamnet’ is a masterpiece, through and through. The film is a masterclass in filmmaking and a true representation of what storytelling can and SHOULD be. It is a film that will grab you by your heart, and it won’t let go even as the hours pass and your time at the theater is but a distant memory.

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