Hamnet

This historical drama blends truth and speculation to give us a peek into the early family life of Shakespeare and the events that lead to his writing of Hamlet.

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The film covers the time from just before Anne/Agnes and William meet to the time that the family moves to Stratford and Hamlet is shared with the public for the first time.

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Paul Mescal is a convincing William Shakespeare, but it’s Jessie Buckley (who plays Anne/Agnes Hathaway) who really shines in this. She does a magnificent job of playing a wide range of emotions over the course of the movie. It’s her story as much as it is William's.

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Loss could be considered a character as is prevalent all the way through. Themes also include belonging, identity, and displacement.

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The final scenes are so full of emotion, I was rapt. We understand that William and his wife have processed the grief over the death of their child in their own ways and that the love that brought them together remains.

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Written in a way that highlights relationships over plot, this film is heart-wrenching, tear-jerking and beautifully-made. 100% recommended.

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