The Amherst Cinema Reel: A Review of Hamnet

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The Power of Centering Women and Family in Art

When my mom invited me to see Hamnet in theaters after taking English 221: Shakespeare with Adam Zucker this past semester, I knew that I had to say yes. Amherst Cinema, located in the heart of Amherst Center, is one of the main local theaters showing Hamnet right now, along with a slate of other interesting and some lesser-known features. They also offer a student discount on tickets!

Hamnet is based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell of the same name. Though I personally have never read the book, I know that it rather uniquely sought to give agency to William Shakespeare’s wife. Not much is known about Agnes Shakespeare herself—in fact, even her name is disputed. She was referred to as Agnes in her father’s will, but most of the time she is referred to as Anne. Her marriage to William Shakespeare was often strained, in part due to the 8 year gap between the pair and the constant physical separation they faced.  

Giving Voice to Agnes Shakespeare

Likewise, the main character of the movie Hamnet is Agnes. The lead actress, Jessie Buckley, brings her personality to the forefront, as evidenced by her Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice winning performance. The movie portrays Agnes as a hermetic herbalist and healer who would rather be in the woods than conversing with other people—until she meets William. Their relationship is intense and filled with opportunities to learn from each other—for her, to learn about stories, and for him, to learn about nature and magic.

This movie is primarily about the loss of Agnes and William’s son, Hamnet, to the Black Death and how they rebuilt after experiencing immense grief. Unfortunately, the death of their son takes a toll on Agnes and William’s relationship because William can run off to write plays in London, and Agnes has to face her grief head-on while taking care of the rest of their family. This is referred to as a 'domestic tragedy'—a story of interpersonal conflict within the home—although this one doesn’t end on a tragic note.

A Domestic Tragedy

While Agnes cares for her two daughters at home, William is writing and directing Hamlet. The play is not a direct parallel by any means to their experience with the death of their son, (in Elizabethan England, the name Hamnet was used interchangeably with the name Hamlet) but the overarching themes that explore father/son relationships, grief, and responsibility seem to echo the fraught emotions he suffered. 

I got chills while watching him direct the rehearsal of Hamlet, and when Agnes goes to see it performed (in the famous Globe Theatre), there is a similar raw emotional response. Interestingly enough, the actor who plays Hamnet and the actor who plays Hamlet in the performance of the play are brothers in real life, which adds another layer of thought-provoking metaphor.

The film is based off of the fictionalized events of the novel rather than historical fact. This made me constantly question whether the events really took place. The audience has to get used to holding space for that uncertainty. Overall, I thought that Hamnet was a masterclass in foreshadowing and symbolism, and would highly recommend it to anyone who is remotely interested in Shakespeare. My theater and fashion nerd friend who I saw it with pointed out a lot of interesting usages of color, costuming, and camera shots that help better communicate the story.

Fair Warning: Bring Tissues

That said, if you aren’t prepared to deal with some seriously heart-wrenching scenes, this is not the movie for you. Most of the people in the theater were crying at some point or another. However, I thought the compelling acting and powerful story were well worth the upsetting moments.

Along with Jessie Buckley’s award-winning performance, Hamnet also won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama. It’s currently being shown at Amherst Cinema, and supporting your local theaters is always a great use of your time and money. Grab your tickets for Hamnet before it’s too late!