Hamlet
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Movie Reviews of Hamlet
Movie Review: Nuances
Summary: 4 Stars
I've loved "Hamlet" since I was 17, and seen many different movie versions of it. What I like best about this version are the little nuances, the tiny moments that provide bits of insight into the story or the characters.
For instance, the way that Laertes (Liev Schreiber) interacts with Ophelia (Julia Stiles) provides many of these moments. When he leaves at the beginning of the film, he takes one of her barrettes with him. When she's gone mad, he keeps putting his arms protectively around her, like a big brother who wants to shield his shattered sister would.
Another example is the way that Polonious and Laertes always seem to be looking past each other. There's father-and-son affection there, but they're really very distant. Polonious wants to seem like a good father to Laertes and Ophelia, always dispensing advice, but you really get that he has no idea who they are.
(SPOILAGE ALERT) At the very end, they throw a great twist in -- Gertrude understands not only that Claudius killed her husband, but that he's trying to poison her son. She drinks the poison out of both remorse for her past actions and in a vain attempt to save her son.
All in all, it's a solid modernization of the story. Some of my favorite parts of the play are missing, but the meat is there.
Movie Review: One to Make You Think
Summary: 4 Stars
If you have not studied and understand Shakespeare's usage of words, then this movie will be a terrible long bore filled with words you would have trouble pronouncing, let alone understanding. You may have understood some of the plot had the setting and the dialouge not been so different. 14th century Denmark and 21st century New York are two completly different worlds, with different words. If you found it horrible confusing, study Shakespeare's language and then give this movie another look.Now if you understand Shakespeare, but have not read the play, you could follow the plot, and identify with some of the characters. Hamlet was played a bit meloncholy, but it fit. If you truely like dramas, then you can agree with me that when he put the gun to his head and said "To be or not to be," it was moving, at least I thought it was. Ophelia's sudden maddness seemed, well, sudden, but again, my boyfriend never shot my father either. The poloroid pictures perfectly captured the drowning with flowers, and yet kept it contemporary. The final scene brought tears to my eyes. I felt so much empathy for Hamlet, and while I knew it was a tragedy, I was completly shocked when he died.
Overall, this was one of the better modern-day Shakespearean plays I have seen.
Movie Review: Best adaptation I've ever seen
Summary: 4 Stars
I don't blame people for not liking this version of Hamlet. I, myself, went to see it as a joke. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. This version spoke to me more than any other film version I've ever seen. Almost every bit of updating seemed organic to the story (the dueling scene aside). The families are so modern in their dysfunctions, in their inabilities to relate to one another, and Hamlet's detached attitude is completely pertinent to young adults today. And delivering the "To be or not to be" speech in the action aisle of a Blockbuster Video? Come on, that's brilliant! Even if you must fault Michael Almereyda for his choices, at least give him credit for having a take on the story. Franco Zeffereli's was fine, but about as safe as you can make it. Kenneth Branagh's was an excuse for elaborate sets and costumes, with absolutely no interpretation or real feeling. Almereyda obviously feels close to this story, and he goes out on a limb to express his vision. I think he does it beautifully. This is not a pale and heartless updating (Baz Luhrman?). It comes from a very personal place, and therefore should be open to varying opinions. But please give Michael Almereyda credit for having a vision. It's more than many Shakespeare buffs can boast.Movie Review: a young hamlet-what a concept!
Summary: 4 Stars
first of all..this is the best hamlet available on dvd-simplybecause someone has actually cast an actor the right age to be
playing hamlet..he's supposed to be 30..not old enough to be the king of denmark (sorry olivier) this is also the most accessible
version available..it's geared toward a younger audience so those
of you wanting a stodgy..slow paced...every-shakespeare-word-
is sacred-we-need-a-three-hour-plus-version probably wouldn't
want this. this is called an interpretation. it's what film does best and what theater companies (and actors) seem afraid to do. and kudos to ethan hawke for doing the role. unlike most of the other actors who have done this role on film he's talented enough to be able to do a wide range of acting and directing projects.
and he's doing it all at a young age. as a prince..not a king.
Movie Review: A convincing modern Hamlet!
Summary: 4 Stars
I confess, I had my reservations about this movie, because I was skeptical of Ethan Hawke's acting skills. As it turns out, he showed a brand new side of Hamlet. Most Shakespeare fans who have read the original play think of Hamlet as this hypersensitive tormented thinker. Ethank Hawke portrays Hamlet as an artsy slacker, an overgrown teenager, who makes amateur movies in the basement. This is certainly not the over-the-top melodramatic Hamlet of Kenneth Brannaugh. Hawke makes Hamlet more tangible. Having attended a liberal arts college, I am very familiar with this type of self-absorbed amateur film makers. Yes, they are sexy, they are tormented, they are charismatic without even trying. Ultimately, they will think nothing of destroying a young girl, even if they do have some superficial feelings for her.