Released in the second week of January 2026 in the UK, Hamnet stakes a very early claim to being the best film of the year, this biographical drama tells the story of the relationship of William Shakespeare and Agnes and the impact of the death of their son from the plague. Some of director/co-writer Zhao's signature screen stylings - nature, landscapes, quietness and compositions that create great space around characters - are used so well here, indeed making deliberate close ups very impactful. Even the use of particular high angle shots, at first giving the odd feel of observing a stage from the gallery, is later explained smartly within the narrative. It is a delicate, almost fragile, film, and Max Richter's exquisite score is vital but unobtrusive, used sparingly but purposefully. It is one of those films that held its audience still and in silence throughout, apart from two key points at which some people audibly sobbed. Jessie Buckley's powerhouse performance shows genuine depth and veracity, a genuine expression of love and grief, but it is matched equally by a tremendously thoughtful and sympathetic turn from the increasingly excellent Paul Mescal. Also of note is the remarkably nuanced presence of young Jacobi Jupe as the ill-fated Hamnet. The timeline may occasionally puzzle, but then this is not a documentary. Hamnet is profound, deeply moving, consummately performed and beautifully constructed in every respect.
No comments:
Post a Comment