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entertainment20h ago
The Movie 'Hamnet' Is Not Called 'Hamlet' for a Very Good Reason
- The film Hamnet by Chloé Zhao shifts focus from a Hamlet plot to Shakespeare’s family life and grief after his son Hamnet’s death.
- Paul Mescal plays William Shakespeare while Jessie Buckley portrays Agnes, anchoring the film’s emotional center.
- Hamnet’s title reflects Elizabethan naming nuances; scholars note Hamnet and Hamlet names were interchangeable in Shakespeare’s era.
- The plot timeline places Hamnet’s baptism in 1585 and his burial in 1596, with Hamlet the play emerging around 1600.
- Critical reception highlights outstanding visuals and performances, even as some reviewers call the pacing slow and deeply somber.
- Golden Globes recognition reinforced the film's prominence this award season, including Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Actress – Drama for Buckley.
- The Atlantic’s analysis and Smithsonian Magazine contribute to the view of Hamnet’s historical context and title choice.
- The film’s logline centers on a healer and Agnes grappling with grief after Hamnet’s plague-related death.
- The broader TIFF and critics’ dialogue feature references to the film among awards chatter and direct quotes about its bold third act.
- RogerEbert.com’s Christy Lemire offered a mixed take, calling Buckley and Mescal’s performances powerful but sometimes overbearing.
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