Hamnet

"Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me." For the first circa 25 mins I didnt like the film (and the main characters) very much. I was convinced I would rate it 3.5 at most, but the rest of the movie was so excellent I physically cant give it anything less than a 5 and live with myself. The moment the children showed up (and started giving some of the best child performances I remember seeing) it genuinely became the best cinematic experience of the year for me. (Well not just of the year) The people in my theatre were crying, like audibly crying. More than once. (And isnt that just beautiful, given the themes of the movie) I honestly cant remember the last time I cried this much this many times times during one movie. The first time was (probably) even before the half point mark.  And then there was that switch into "get thee to a nunnery" – and that was possibly the best scene I saw this year. I genuinely felt like someone punched me. (Plus it was probably the best rendition of that scene I ever saw, at least in how I connected to it emotionally - and I saw quite a few productions of Hamlet)  And then they kept it going and made it honestly one of my favourite takes on Hamlet ever, one you couldnt really do if you just performed the play, which is what makes the movie so worthwhile in my opinion – its not just an adaptation. It does things an adaptation could never do. Its not a biopic either – I mean you dont even hear the name "William Shakespeare" until the third act and the movie almost completely avoids following him when he goes off to London to do theatre. I just love the format and the framing.  Jessie Buckley's performance was everything. If she doesnt get that oscar, I will personally hunt down the members of the academy one by one. Paul Mescal was great too. I am so in love with this film.