‘Hamnet‘ delivers Powerful Performances, But Narrative Focus Divides Critics
The film Hamnet, based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel and exploring the grief surrounding the 1596 death of William Shakespeare and anne Hathaway‘s 11-year-old son, Hamnet, is garnering attention for its performances, notably paul Mescal’s portrayal of Shakespeare.While lauded for its emotional weight,the film’s narrative prioritization of William Shakespeare’s grief over his wife’s has sparked debate.
Early scenes depict Shakespeare, as William, as a ”truly believable lovestruck dum-dum” attempting to woo Agnes Hathaway (Buckley). A small, telling moment involves William presenting Agnes with a handmade falconer’s glove, which she dismisses with a dry remark and a casual toss over her shoulder.
Critics note that despite a mother’s grief being universally recognized as profoundly painful, Mescal’s performance conveys a man’s grief with greater impact. William is portrayed as internally constricted, unable to articulate or process his feelings, channeling his sorrow into writing a play – Hamlet. Noah Jupe plays the titular role in the film’s production of Hamlet, with his younger brother, Jacobi Jupe, portraying Hamnet. mescal directs Jupe’s Hamlet with “almost cruel ruthlessness,” demanding a performance that aligns with his internal experience of grief.
The film is rooted in historical fact: William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway did lose a son, Hamnet, in 1596. O’Farrell’s novel, and the subsequent film adaptation, explore a fictionalized account of Anne Hathaway’s life and grief. The review highlights a common historical imbalance, noting that women’s inner lives often receive less attention than men’s accomplishments. However, the film ultimately positions Shakespeare as the central figure of suffering, transforming his sorrow into something “heavier than lead and lighter than air,” and leaving him “trapped in his own riddle.”
