Hamnet
Okay here we go.
The first hour honestly had me wondering when the film was going to grab me. The relationship between Agnes and Shakespeare felt rushed almost like they fell in love and married in a day. I know that is not the full basis of the story but it’s why i struggled in the beginning. I wasn’t very invested in their romance.
But once Hamnet became sick the movie completely grabbed me and didn't let go until the credits. Thats when I realized I wasn’t watching just a love film. I was watching a story. A story about grief, loss, and how the death of a child can completely change everything.
Shakespeare standing above the water, wrestling with the thought to keep going. “To be or not to be, that is the question” such a powerful scene. A well known quote from Shakespeare but put in such a poignant manner made it so incredibly powerful. Then the scene where Hamnet is telling his sister he’ll “trick” death for her was absolutely heartbreaking. It showed the pure innocence of a child and the sincerity. Lastly the scene in the afterlife where Hamnet whistels and sees the Hawk. Just a lovely representation of memory.
I wouldn’t call it a perfect film, but it stayed with me after it ended. It’s incredibly emotional, beautifully performed (genuinely some of the best performances I have ever seen), and it has moments that are unforgettable. I would absolutely say its better than just “good”
Once this movie found its emotional core it became so so special.