I watched this because I wanted to see what Daisy Ridley's acting was like outside of Star Wars. I had seen her in Murder on the Orient Express, but her role was relatively small in that. This film isn't incredibly exciting, but Ridley certainly gives a fine performance as a fleshed-out Ophelia. The other actors carry themselves well, in addition; and the period sets, costumes, and locations are convincing.
142 Reviews
Not Shakespeare, but not awful
rayres070818 July 2020
I love Shakespeare, but I've also always had a soft spot for Ophelia. This reimagining of Hamlet is not faithful to the original text, so have an open mind and you may enjoy it. I don't generally like movies that apply modern sensibilities to classic stories and characters, but this one was tolerable. The acting was fine, the sets and costumes beautiful. Overall it was a fine film. But if you're a purist, don't bother.
Interesting take on Hamlet
troyandberyl21 October 2020
Hard to believe the hostility directed against this movie.
It's not Hamlet, but another take on the story from the viewpoint of Ophelia. The director chose to show the protagonist as a strong women.
Enjoyed the character development and the storyline. Directing was solid. All the actors were quite believable in their roles.
Not bad - Lovely scenery & costume design
boothjacquie27 September 2021
I don't understand why the reviews for this one are so bad. I found this movie quite enjoyable. The acting seemed fine to me and the scenery and costume designs were really lovely. I enjoyed watching this movie a lot. I suppose those looking for the traditional portrayal of Hamlet might be disappointed. I enjoyed the updated dialogue and storyline from Ophelia's point of view. Give it a chance - you'll likely be pleased you did.
Reimagining Of Hamlet
Foutainoflife16 July 2019
This was enjoyable in my opinion. I've seen Hamlet. I've read the play. This is not an exact remake of the original work but I liked that it was a reimagining.
In this film, Ophelia is our main character and we seen how things unfold from her perspective. Her role in the original work is a big deal seeing as she was the innocence in a corrupt court who was driven to insanity and then suicide after the deaths of the men she loved most. Suicide was her escape from all the revenge, evil and madness taking place around her. Here we see her much more resilient without losing her innocent nature. The basic plot of the film is still present but things don't go down the same way.
I thought it was filmed well and the acting was good. I thought the concept presented was creative. I'm sure that a lot of folks will take issue and feel like it was to far removed from the original work but if you take it for what it is rather than point out all the differences, it was a good film. I say check it out.
In this film, Ophelia is our main character and we seen how things unfold from her perspective. Her role in the original work is a big deal seeing as she was the innocence in a corrupt court who was driven to insanity and then suicide after the deaths of the men she loved most. Suicide was her escape from all the revenge, evil and madness taking place around her. Here we see her much more resilient without losing her innocent nature. The basic plot of the film is still present but things don't go down the same way.
I thought it was filmed well and the acting was good. I thought the concept presented was creative. I'm sure that a lot of folks will take issue and feel like it was to far removed from the original work but if you take it for what it is rather than point out all the differences, it was a good film. I say check it out.
Sumptuous feast for the eyes
ron-newbold11 August 2019
It is not surprising the name of the costume designer features so early in the credits because he played a major role in making this film so watchable. All those gorgeous costumes must have cost a bit but along with some splendid décor, ecclesiastical and baronial interiors (and a few exteriors) and outdoor scenes of woods glades and hills this film never fail to offer pleasure for the eye. The story proceeds at a sufficient pace with some unexpected twists and turns while bringing out how empty and unsatisfying royal or any great power can be. Is it really worth fighting so hard for? Pity about the mayhem of the penultimate scene, it was unnecessary, but makes Ophelia's choice at the end seem a wise one.
Somewhat art-house, but fast-paced
harry_tk_yung23 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Critics seem to have difficulties agreeing on whether this is a spin-of of Hamlet to tell Ophelia's story, or simply Hamlet's story told from Ophelia's POV. I tend to side with the former.
One thing definitely reimagined here is that Ophelia is no longer a helpless, passive victim eventually driven to madness. She is all courage, intelligence, wit, spirit, resourceful, and more. And why not, if she is played by Daisy Ridley whom we know best as Rey, the new heroine in the third and final trilogy of the Star Wars saga that spanned the silver screen for over 4 decades. Incidentally, in about 2 months, our patience will be rewarded with the answer to Rey's real heritage. But I digress.
Among other things, this movie has a generous offer of witty word plays. Right at the start, when Ophelia as a child (Mia Quiney) is taken under the wings of Queen Gertrude (Naomi Watts), the first exchange includes the Queen's mild exclamation of "Alas, indeed", which is turned by the witty Ophelia into "a lass", as she is often mistaken for a boy in her tomboyish childhood.
In the first encounter (not counting stealing glances at each other at a distance) between Ophelia and Hamlet (George MacKay), she is fully submerged in serene lake water when surprised by him and Horatio on shore. Hamlet promptly commented that as she is a lady-in-waiting, perhaps she wouldn't mind waiting a bit longer. They would not inconvenience themselves on her account with looking for another spot for fishing. Totally unruffled, Ophelia teasingly emerges from water in tantalizingly slow motion, only to have the jaw-dropping Hamlet finally discover that she is fully clothed (Horatio has already walked away in embarrassment). That is a most definitive establishing scene of Ophelia.
Other depiction of Ophelia includes "she dances like a goat" (as per the other ladies-in-waiting). B then, she is "a girl that can read", surprising Gertrude who immediately gets even as Ophelia finds that her bedside reading to the queen is not a book of religious devotion but passionate novels of romance.
In this movie, the Shakespearean English has been modernized, exemplified in probably the best-known fatherly advice, "Neither a borrower nor a lender be". Here, what Polonius says to Laertes becomes "Do not borrow any money or lend it". Incidentally if you find the face of the actor who plays Ophelia's brother Laertes familiar, you should. This is none other than Tom Felton, otherwise better known as Draco Malfoy in Harry-Potter-verse. But I digress again.
For the top-tier star presence, in addition to Ridley and Watts, there is also Clive Owen who plays the usurping uncle Claudius, most likely with more malice than you have seen anywhere else before. Note also that Watts plays not just one character, but two! Entirely new to the plot is Mechtild, a mysterious witch from whom Gertrude obtains potions for preservation of youthful looks. She also carries a secret that affects the big picture but let me not spoil it. Similarly, I will not spoil the plot which initially follows the Bard's but later throws in some twists.
As mentioned in my "headline", this movie has aa art-house feel, but is not get overboard. The pace, for one thing, is brisk. The cinematography is first-rate, as well as costume design. There is much to enjoy, if this is your cup of tea.
Pretty Cool
drumdevill8 June 2020
Good if you know the book...
emmers59110 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I read the book by Lisa Klein that this is based on as a teenager. I loved it, so I might be a bit biased, but I didn't mind the changes to the Hamlet story. I thought the costumes, sets, and everything where gorgeous. The casting is good and most of the actors do the best they can with weakly written dialogue. My other TINY complaint is that they changed the ending from the book where she ends up with Horatio.
Also, ignore the people who complain about having actors of different races in a medieval story. It's the 21st century. I think it's okay to cast the actor who is best for the role without getting hung up on race.
Also, ignore the people who complain about having actors of different races in a medieval story. It's the 21st century. I think it's okay to cast the actor who is best for the role without getting hung up on race.
Ophelia's perspective...
Thanos_Alfie30 October 2021
"Ophelia" is a Drama - Romance movie in which we watch Hamlet from Ophelia's perspective. She was raised by Queen Gertrude in Elsinore Castle and she had some feelings for Prince Hamlet. Passion, romance, vengeance combined in this movie.
I found this movie interesting and different since it's from a different perspective than usual. The direction which was made by Claire McCarthy was good and she presented well her main characters and the plot behind her movie. The interpretation of Daisy Ridley who played as Ophelia was good and her combination with some other actors/actresses created a good result. Some other interpretations that have to be mentioned were Naomi Watts's who played as Gertrude / Mechtild, Clive Owen's who played as Claudius and George MacKay's who played as Hamlet. Finally, I have to say that "Ophelia" is an interesting movie and I recommend you to watch it just from curiosity.
I found this movie interesting and different since it's from a different perspective than usual. The direction which was made by Claire McCarthy was good and she presented well her main characters and the plot behind her movie. The interpretation of Daisy Ridley who played as Ophelia was good and her combination with some other actors/actresses created a good result. Some other interpretations that have to be mentioned were Naomi Watts's who played as Gertrude / Mechtild, Clive Owen's who played as Claudius and George MacKay's who played as Hamlet. Finally, I have to say that "Ophelia" is an interesting movie and I recommend you to watch it just from curiosity.
A travesty, but OK if you're looking for "Shakespeare goes 'Twilight'"
ofumalow23 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Never mind all the fake early ten-star reviews here--if you can't tell they're fake from the writing, click on the person's handle and you'll see that inevitably they have never posted about another movie before.
This movie gets five stars for being well-produced, good-looking, professionally acted and crafted. I can't argue that it would probably entertain less discriminating (and younger) audiences, esp. if they have no prior experience with "Hamlet." (God help the high school student who one day is going to figure they can skip reading the play and do a book report just from seeing this film.) But if you ARE at all familiar with "Hamlet," this is is pretty ludicrous. It's not that it departs from the play in many ways; "Hamlet" is such a ubiquitous classic that it can certainly withstand and even welcome some imaginative, revisionist takes.
(partial spoilers ahead] The probolem is that this particular take is that of a stereotypical current teenage romance-novel-slash-fantasy a la "Twilight" and "Wicked." Poor Ophelia must of course be a spunky little rebel who only PRETENDS to go mad, won't let men tell her what to do, and other things that seem more than a bit preposterous for a young lady in a medieval Danish court. Of course Hamlet is ALL about her, in a brooding, lovesick, tormented Robert Pattinson-in-"Twilight" way. Things are manipulated so crazily to make O. the center of this whole story that she even sees the Ghost of Hamlet's father before he does! Because she is just that special.
Gertrude is made to be bitchy and insecure, reducing Naomi Watts' performance; Clive Owen is solid as Claudius, and other performances are OK. But it's distracting that another concession to young audiences is making the court multi-ethnic, as if there were many black people around in 11th-century Denmark or whenever this is supposed to be. It's not that this is quasi-modernized, which needn't be a bad thing; it's that it's done in such a stereotypical, shallow, trendy fashion that the effect is ultimately kinda laughable.
You can't say this is really a "feminist" take, because it's too juvenile in its approach--Ophelia may be somewhat "empowered," but she's also the girl whom the Prince himself offers to "walk away from it all" for! She's supposed to be "tough," in a sort of Katniss-in-"Hunger Games" way, but she also gets to be Cinderella, too. If you're getting the feeling from my description that this movie piles up way too many cliches in order to hit the target audience bull's-eye, you'd be exactly right. But jiudging from the film's reception so far, obviously you can OVERESTIMATE what your audience presumably wants, and give them so much of it that they feel condescended to. This expensive-looking movie is pretty much going straight to VOD, and that is because it is more 21st-century "Gidget" than "Hamlet." Doing the story from Ophelia's point of view was a good idea--and someday, someone may do it right.
This movie gets five stars for being well-produced, good-looking, professionally acted and crafted. I can't argue that it would probably entertain less discriminating (and younger) audiences, esp. if they have no prior experience with "Hamlet." (God help the high school student who one day is going to figure they can skip reading the play and do a book report just from seeing this film.) But if you ARE at all familiar with "Hamlet," this is is pretty ludicrous. It's not that it departs from the play in many ways; "Hamlet" is such a ubiquitous classic that it can certainly withstand and even welcome some imaginative, revisionist takes.
(partial spoilers ahead] The probolem is that this particular take is that of a stereotypical current teenage romance-novel-slash-fantasy a la "Twilight" and "Wicked." Poor Ophelia must of course be a spunky little rebel who only PRETENDS to go mad, won't let men tell her what to do, and other things that seem more than a bit preposterous for a young lady in a medieval Danish court. Of course Hamlet is ALL about her, in a brooding, lovesick, tormented Robert Pattinson-in-"Twilight" way. Things are manipulated so crazily to make O. the center of this whole story that she even sees the Ghost of Hamlet's father before he does! Because she is just that special.
Gertrude is made to be bitchy and insecure, reducing Naomi Watts' performance; Clive Owen is solid as Claudius, and other performances are OK. But it's distracting that another concession to young audiences is making the court multi-ethnic, as if there were many black people around in 11th-century Denmark or whenever this is supposed to be. It's not that this is quasi-modernized, which needn't be a bad thing; it's that it's done in such a stereotypical, shallow, trendy fashion that the effect is ultimately kinda laughable.
You can't say this is really a "feminist" take, because it's too juvenile in its approach--Ophelia may be somewhat "empowered," but she's also the girl whom the Prince himself offers to "walk away from it all" for! She's supposed to be "tough," in a sort of Katniss-in-"Hunger Games" way, but she also gets to be Cinderella, too. If you're getting the feeling from my description that this movie piles up way too many cliches in order to hit the target audience bull's-eye, you'd be exactly right. But jiudging from the film's reception so far, obviously you can OVERESTIMATE what your audience presumably wants, and give them so much of it that they feel condescended to. This expensive-looking movie is pretty much going straight to VOD, and that is because it is more 21st-century "Gidget" than "Hamlet." Doing the story from Ophelia's point of view was a good idea--and someday, someone may do it right.
Beautifully presented must-see tale
rafika23 May 2020
As a huge fan of Shakespeare, I truly enjoyed this alternate take on the tale of Hamlet and Ophelia. The star-studded cast was a delight to watch deliver superb performances. The sets were absolutely breathtaking and the costuming was tasteful and evocative. The film was a rich feast of color and the music touched my heart. I found myself singing along with the theme and humming it after the end of the movie. I just love that a woman wrote the book, another the screenplay and the director was female as well. This definitely is a step in the right direction of telling "herstory" to take its rightful place aside "history".
An Ophelia for Our Time!!!
lavatch26 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
There are so many expeditions into the forest and a cave that are made by Ophelia in this film that it is easy to confuse "Ophelia" with "Dora and the Lost City of Gold"!
Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" was a play and later a film that showed Shakespeare's "Hamlet" from the perspectives of two schlubs who are given their fifteen minutes of fame. By contrast, "Ophelia" deconstructs Shakespeare's narrative not only to unfold the action from Ophelia's point of view, but it also completely reinvents the character and the narrative.
In the bonus track of the DVD of "Ophelia," one of the film's producers described their Ophelia as a "spitfire," and within the film itself, she describes herself to us as "willful." The director, Claire McCarthy, noted a "tongue-in-cheek" stylistic approach to the Shakespearean classic in the way that characters and events are entirely changed.
Some of the most outrageous choices were have Ophelia marry Hamlet! The ceremony takes place in the forest in the style of Friar Lawrence overseeing the ceremony of Romeo and Juliet tying the knot. The quick-thinking Ophelia is also making rounds on the ramparts of Elsinore late at night on the lookout for the Ghost. Ophelia and Hamlet are both aware of that eavesdropping is occurring in a crucial scene, so they begin to whisper to each other as Claudius and Polonius are listening in. This Ophelia also does not go mad, but rather feigns the madness, giving an award-winning performance of the staged mad songs in front of the court. But the most radical change is that Ophelia stages her own death, giving the impression that she has drowned in the river!
The filmmakers clearly wanted to avoid any semblance of Ophelia as a victim. In the bonus track of the DVD, McCarthy reiterated how this Ophelia was to have "agency" in her life. She begins as a commoner, then rises to the level of handmaiden to Queen Gertrude, prior to marrying the Prince of Denmark, and ultimately living to become a widow and proud single mom!
The film was directed by a woman, and the screenplay was written by a woman, based on a woman's novel. The featured characters, Ophelia and Gertrude, were woman, and a new female character of the "healer" named Mechtild, is Gertrude's sister, who is always available to provide poisons, potions, and cure-alls in her cave.
To crown it off, there is the convent of St. Emilion, where women who are harassed at the court may flee to safety. The protagonist will in time avail herself of the sanctuary afforded by St. Emilion. So, when Hamlet tells Ophelia, "Get thee to a nunnery," he is providing the most important advice that will help to ensure victory for our Super Heroine, turning her into an Ophelia for our time!!
Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" was a play and later a film that showed Shakespeare's "Hamlet" from the perspectives of two schlubs who are given their fifteen minutes of fame. By contrast, "Ophelia" deconstructs Shakespeare's narrative not only to unfold the action from Ophelia's point of view, but it also completely reinvents the character and the narrative.
In the bonus track of the DVD of "Ophelia," one of the film's producers described their Ophelia as a "spitfire," and within the film itself, she describes herself to us as "willful." The director, Claire McCarthy, noted a "tongue-in-cheek" stylistic approach to the Shakespearean classic in the way that characters and events are entirely changed.
Some of the most outrageous choices were have Ophelia marry Hamlet! The ceremony takes place in the forest in the style of Friar Lawrence overseeing the ceremony of Romeo and Juliet tying the knot. The quick-thinking Ophelia is also making rounds on the ramparts of Elsinore late at night on the lookout for the Ghost. Ophelia and Hamlet are both aware of that eavesdropping is occurring in a crucial scene, so they begin to whisper to each other as Claudius and Polonius are listening in. This Ophelia also does not go mad, but rather feigns the madness, giving an award-winning performance of the staged mad songs in front of the court. But the most radical change is that Ophelia stages her own death, giving the impression that she has drowned in the river!
The filmmakers clearly wanted to avoid any semblance of Ophelia as a victim. In the bonus track of the DVD, McCarthy reiterated how this Ophelia was to have "agency" in her life. She begins as a commoner, then rises to the level of handmaiden to Queen Gertrude, prior to marrying the Prince of Denmark, and ultimately living to become a widow and proud single mom!
The film was directed by a woman, and the screenplay was written by a woman, based on a woman's novel. The featured characters, Ophelia and Gertrude, were woman, and a new female character of the "healer" named Mechtild, is Gertrude's sister, who is always available to provide poisons, potions, and cure-alls in her cave.
To crown it off, there is the convent of St. Emilion, where women who are harassed at the court may flee to safety. The protagonist will in time avail herself of the sanctuary afforded by St. Emilion. So, when Hamlet tells Ophelia, "Get thee to a nunnery," he is providing the most important advice that will help to ensure victory for our Super Heroine, turning her into an Ophelia for our time!!
Disappointed with acting
anczykowska2 July 2019
Not your grandmother's Hamlet, this is Ophelia reimagined.
TxMike28 December 2019
I watched this at home on DVD from my public library. It seems to have polarized movie-goers, many "1" votes and many "10" votes. I quite like it, the movie has an interesting story and is acted and filmed very well.
I have the advantage of not knowing very much at all about Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" , the source play for the book and now the movie. As the filmmakers explain, this is a re-imagining of the basic story with more focus on Ophelia and Queen Gertrude, and what the complexity of their characters might have been. Die-hard Shakespeare fans most likely take issue, anything that changes from his various versions would likely be considered unforgivable sins.
But taken as a story greatly "inspired" by the play, with some significant changes and trajectory for Ophelia, it works very well, at least it does for me. Not a great movie but certainly very watchable and suitably entertaining. Not a "10", not a "1", somewhere between those extremes.
Daisy Ridley is really good as Ophelia, playing her as a reasonable but strong person. I don't really know much of his work but George MacKay (mac-eye) works well as Hamlet and Naomi Watts as Gertrude.
I have the advantage of not knowing very much at all about Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" , the source play for the book and now the movie. As the filmmakers explain, this is a re-imagining of the basic story with more focus on Ophelia and Queen Gertrude, and what the complexity of their characters might have been. Die-hard Shakespeare fans most likely take issue, anything that changes from his various versions would likely be considered unforgivable sins.
But taken as a story greatly "inspired" by the play, with some significant changes and trajectory for Ophelia, it works very well, at least it does for me. Not a great movie but certainly very watchable and suitably entertaining. Not a "10", not a "1", somewhere between those extremes.
Daisy Ridley is really good as Ophelia, playing her as a reasonable but strong person. I don't really know much of his work but George MacKay (mac-eye) works well as Hamlet and Naomi Watts as Gertrude.
A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW OF A CLASSIC NOVEL, WITH A TALENTED CAST THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, ISN'T AS GRIPPING AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN
andreascaloni31 March 2021
Based on the novel by Lisa Klein, the film follows the story of Hamlet from Ophelia's perspective. The movie boasts of a talented cast, tells the story on a different and interesting point of view and has a great ending. Unfortunately it suffers from some script's problems and sometimes it isn't as gripping as it should have been.
Rating: 6,5.
Rating: 6,5.
Feminist Reimagining
Dragonborn649 August 2020
People are very harsh. Okay it's not Shakespeare- no pun intended- it's still pretty fun if not heavy on the PC stuff. Naomi Watts in two roles is always dependable. Clive Owens is a bit scary, the wig ... worth a watch if you're fan fiction kinda person.
Pretty good
thepoetmrh19 July 2021
Luxurious , well played and loose version to Hamlet with stunning cast
ma-cortes27 November 2022
As a rebellious and motherless child , orphan Ophelia (Mia Quiney) is taken into Elsinore Castle by Queen Gertrude (Naomi Watts) as one of her most trusted ladies-in-waiting and at the luxury palace she meets a young Hamlet (Jack Cunningham) . Soon enough, grown-up Ophelia (Daisy Ridley) captures the affections of the young Prince Hamlet (Calum O'Rourke) . When Hamlet's father (Nathaniel Parker) is killed and the prince's wits start to unravel into an insatiable quest for revenge, Ophelia sharply navigates the rules of power in Denmark all while struggling to choose between her true love and her own life. Vengeance Destroys Love ! . Hamlet Through Her Eyes !. Vengeance is hers !.
Nice film freely based on Shakespeare play , in fact it is more an inspiration than a faithful adaptation with carefully calculated scenarios. As appearing here and there various known personages from the classy play : Gertrude , Claudius , Polonius , Laertes , Horatius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern . Dealing with the famous and passionate romance kindles between Hamlet and Ophelia in secret as the kingdom is on the brink of war amidst its own political intrigue and betrayal ; then Hamlet vows vengeance on the murderer of his father in this tight version of the stage play . It contains compelling cast , spectacular production design in Czech Republic , where most the shooting was done , including many castles were available for on location filming , and sets were built on sound stages , being spendidly photographed by cameraman Denson Baker and beautifully costumed . However , something is lost in the process , although there are some redeeming , including those appearing Naomi Watts in a double role as Gertrude and Mechtild . Actors giving accesible and decent interpretations of the Bard's moody play . Stars Daisy Reily , famous thanks to Star Wars saga , she brings insight and nuance to her role , being well accompanied by a fine plethora of actors , mostly British ones , such as : Clive Owen as Claudius, Tom Felton , George MacKay , Devon Terrell , Sebastian De Souza and Nathaniel Parker who also played in Kenneth Brannagh's Hamlet .The motion picture was well and professionally directed by Claire McCarthy. Purists beware , this isn't a completely faithful adaptation.
There's a large number of cinematic renditions based on this classic play written by the great playwright William Shakespeare , these are the following ones : Hamlet 1948 directed and acted by Laurence Olivier with Jane Simmons , Peter Cushing , Christopher Lee , Felix Aylmer. Hamlet 1969 by Tony Richardson with Vanessa Redgrave , Marianne Faithfill , Nicol Williamson . Hamlet 1990 by Franco Zeffireli with Mel Gibson , Glenn Close , Alan Bates, Nathaliel Parker , Paul Scofield . Hamlet 1996 directed/played by Kenneth Brannagh with Kate Winslet , Derek Jacobi , Julie Christie , Brian Blessed . Hamlet 2000 by Michel Almereyda with Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlam, Diane Venora, Bill Murray . Hamlet 2001 directed/acted by Campbell Scott , with Jamey Sheridan, Blair Brown, Lisa Gay Hamilton , Sam Robards , among others.
Nice film freely based on Shakespeare play , in fact it is more an inspiration than a faithful adaptation with carefully calculated scenarios. As appearing here and there various known personages from the classy play : Gertrude , Claudius , Polonius , Laertes , Horatius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern . Dealing with the famous and passionate romance kindles between Hamlet and Ophelia in secret as the kingdom is on the brink of war amidst its own political intrigue and betrayal ; then Hamlet vows vengeance on the murderer of his father in this tight version of the stage play . It contains compelling cast , spectacular production design in Czech Republic , where most the shooting was done , including many castles were available for on location filming , and sets were built on sound stages , being spendidly photographed by cameraman Denson Baker and beautifully costumed . However , something is lost in the process , although there are some redeeming , including those appearing Naomi Watts in a double role as Gertrude and Mechtild . Actors giving accesible and decent interpretations of the Bard's moody play . Stars Daisy Reily , famous thanks to Star Wars saga , she brings insight and nuance to her role , being well accompanied by a fine plethora of actors , mostly British ones , such as : Clive Owen as Claudius, Tom Felton , George MacKay , Devon Terrell , Sebastian De Souza and Nathaniel Parker who also played in Kenneth Brannagh's Hamlet .The motion picture was well and professionally directed by Claire McCarthy. Purists beware , this isn't a completely faithful adaptation.
There's a large number of cinematic renditions based on this classic play written by the great playwright William Shakespeare , these are the following ones : Hamlet 1948 directed and acted by Laurence Olivier with Jane Simmons , Peter Cushing , Christopher Lee , Felix Aylmer. Hamlet 1969 by Tony Richardson with Vanessa Redgrave , Marianne Faithfill , Nicol Williamson . Hamlet 1990 by Franco Zeffireli with Mel Gibson , Glenn Close , Alan Bates, Nathaliel Parker , Paul Scofield . Hamlet 1996 directed/played by Kenneth Brannagh with Kate Winslet , Derek Jacobi , Julie Christie , Brian Blessed . Hamlet 2000 by Michel Almereyda with Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlam, Diane Venora, Bill Murray . Hamlet 2001 directed/acted by Campbell Scott , with Jamey Sheridan, Blair Brown, Lisa Gay Hamilton , Sam Robards , among others.
Beautiful.
Thorfrost29 April 2021
I really don't understand why there are so many really negative reviews and positive reviews being downvoted. Is it Daisy? Is it that someone's approached Shakespeare from a new angle?
I'll never find out the answer but it's a real shame.
I really loved this movie. I wasn't sure on Daisy in this kind of role having only seen her in Star Wars before but I actually think she played it beautifully. I have seen someone else say they think this would have been a Kiera Knightley role ten years ago and I agree, but she would have ruined it. It needed to be understated. It needed to be timid as well as strong. None of that makes sense I suppose but in my head it does.
I'm not a fan of Naomi Watts or Clive Owen but they were watchable and actually I cried for Naomi's Gertrude at the end.
The costumes are gorgeous, the scenery and settings beautiful and the soundtrack is wonderful, especially the music playing over the ending scenes.
It made me interested in Hamlet again.
I'll never find out the answer but it's a real shame.
I really loved this movie. I wasn't sure on Daisy in this kind of role having only seen her in Star Wars before but I actually think she played it beautifully. I have seen someone else say they think this would have been a Kiera Knightley role ten years ago and I agree, but she would have ruined it. It needed to be understated. It needed to be timid as well as strong. None of that makes sense I suppose but in my head it does.
I'm not a fan of Naomi Watts or Clive Owen but they were watchable and actually I cried for Naomi's Gertrude at the end.
The costumes are gorgeous, the scenery and settings beautiful and the soundtrack is wonderful, especially the music playing over the ending scenes.
It made me interested in Hamlet again.
Could've been better
imxhill16 July 2021
As a person who never read Shakespeares' work and is not familiar with this story, I think this movie was just okay.
Pros - the production design and cinematography is kinda cool. There are some really cool shots throughout the movie & dresses, the location, they felt real.
Daisy Ridley was pretty good as Ophelia, it was kinda nice to see her in something other than Star Wars.
The film is overall not that bad and watchable at times, but a lot of the time I couldn't help but think it was just mid.
The characters in this movie are very flat. Even though some actors tries their best and you can kinda see it, but the script doesn't explore or develop these characters that much. They didn't feel interesting other than Ophelia. (Even her character isn't that 'great', either)
The film isn't a disaster but I think it could have been a LOT better.
Edit: Daisy Ridley actions mad scene>>
Pros - the production design and cinematography is kinda cool. There are some really cool shots throughout the movie & dresses, the location, they felt real.
Daisy Ridley was pretty good as Ophelia, it was kinda nice to see her in something other than Star Wars.
The film is overall not that bad and watchable at times, but a lot of the time I couldn't help but think it was just mid.
The characters in this movie are very flat. Even though some actors tries their best and you can kinda see it, but the script doesn't explore or develop these characters that much. They didn't feel interesting other than Ophelia. (Even her character isn't that 'great', either)
The film isn't a disaster but I think it could have been a LOT better.
Edit: Daisy Ridley actions mad scene>>
Disappointing
shay_davies25 May 2020
Loved it. Daisy is amazing. Visuals are great.
qheenoue30 May 2020
I was afraid to watch this due to the fact that I have never read or seen Hamlet or anything related, and the poor reviews.
But one Saturday afternoon, on a cloudy day, just finishing opening up a hot skull of a woman having increased intracranial pressure, the wife and decided, what the heck.
And so, I immensely enjoyed it. Story was engaging, Daisy as cute as ever. The banter not too dragging. No need for expositions. Naration was just enough.
Good movie. Watch it yourself for what it is, not what it is supposed to be (I guess).
Not Bad
mcatrdn5 August 2020
Having not read Hamlet, and being a fan of the woman's point of view, I found the actors, sceneries and story to do a great job of holding my attention. Many reviews of those who have seen Hamlet are low, but this film has now led me to begin reading Hamlet, which might change how I rate this film, but as of now, I would recommend.
rubbish
bozx-713182 July 2019
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