Hamnet has garnered significant acclaim, winning Golden Globes for both Best Drama and Best Actress. But is the film truly deserving of its accolades?
Film Overview
Hamnet ★★★★
(M) 126 minutes
The journey to redeem Anne Hathaway’s image—a figure often overshadowed by her famous husband, William Shakespeare—can be traced back to Germaine Greer. Greer was a pioneer in this endeavor, penning a speculative biography titled Shakespeare’s Wife in 2007. In her book, she presented a candid and feminist perspective on Hathaway, who had previously been dismissed by many scholars as an uneducated opportunist who ensnared the young playwright into a loveless marriage through an unexpected pregnancy.
Critics of Hathaway often let their imaginations run wild, fueled by a scant amount of historical evidence. Greer, while also engaging in speculation, supported her theories with substantial research into Elizabethan customs and history. She proposed that Hathaway’s social standing implied she was not only literate but perhaps even more socially advantageous than Shakespeare himself.
Fast forward to 2020, when Irish author Maggie O’Farrell crafted a daring portrayal of Hathaway in her novel Hamnet. This emotionally rich narrative centers around the profound tragedy of Shakespeare’s life—the loss of his eleven-year-old son, Hamnet, due to the plague. O’Farrell not only wrote the novel but also co-adapted it into a film script alongside director Chloé Zhao, renowned for her work on Nomadland. While the film does introduce some alterations, it successfully captures the essence, mood, and themes of the original book.
In O’Farrell’s retelling, Anne—known as Agnes in the film—emerges as a healer deeply connected to the natural world, more comfortable amidst the flora and fauna of the forest than within her home, where she resides with her father and strict stepmother. The film vividly illustrates this close relationship with nature, creating a setting that feels alive and untamed. Although the family enjoys a relatively affluent lifestyle by Stratford standards, their proximity to the wild woods suggests an ever-present danger, which ultimately materializes when the plague descends upon their community.
Agnes possesses an intuitive awareness of the looming dangers, yet only her brother, Bartholomew (played by Joe Alwyn), seems to grasp the depth of her insights. The narrative shifts dramatically when Will, the son of a neighbor and a struggling Latin tutor, falls for Agnes, altering the trajectory of their lives.
Will is portrayed by Irish actor Paul Mescal, who rose to fame following his role in the television adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Normal People. While he has faced challenges with some of his recent casting choices, Mescal convincingly embodies a grounded and relatable version of Shakespeare. O’Farrell and Zhao consciously steer clear of the common clichés associated with the so-called “artistic temperament,” yet Mescal effectively conveys Will’s ambitions and frustrations. Recognizing the intensity of his passions, Agnes consents to a marriage that requires him to spend considerable time in London, leaving her in Stratford with their children until they can join him.
Jessie Buckley, another talented Irish actress, recently won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Agnes, delivering a character that is both intricately layered and compelling. As a rebellious stepdaughter and fiercely protective mother skilled in crafting her medicinal remedies, Agnes displays formidable strength. However, the heartbreaking loss of her son (brilliantly played by Jacobi Jupe) tests the limits of her resilience and strains her marriage.
While the film's narrative is more straightforward compared to the book, with its key themes presented more explicitly, some subtlety may be sacrificed in the translation to screen. Nevertheless, the emotional weight of the film's conclusion compensates for this loss. The latter portion delves deeply into themes of grief—exploring its various manifestations and the challenges that arise when one person’s sorrow cannot be communicated effectively to another, particularly to those who need to understand it most.
This is undoubtedly a heartrending film, yet it concludes on a note of hope and reconciliation. Not only is Anne Hathaway reimagined here, but Shakespeare is also portrayed in a more nuanced light as a father. The ending serves as a poignant homage to the transformative power of art itself.
What do you think? Does the film succeed in reshaping these iconic characters, or do you believe it falls short? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Reviewed by Sandra Hall
