Hamlet starring Ethan Hawke, Kyle
MacLachlan, Diane Venora, Sam
Shepard, Bill Murray
Modern Shakespeare
Perhaps the least important thing about this latest film version of
Shakespeares masterpiece is its setting in modern-day New York. Yes,
such locales as the Guggenheim Museum are used wittily; answering
machines and faxes are logically worked into the plot; and it was both
inspired and entirely appropriate to make the prince of Denmark a moody,
introspective filmmaker whose avant-garde collages provide the context for
some of his famous monologues. All of which would be so much pleasantly
humorous eye-candy if it didnt come hand in hand with a sympathy for an d
understanding of this remarkable cast of characters. For that,
ultimately, is what makes Michael Almereydas Hamlet such a delight to
watch. Forget that the immortal rumination on suicide is placed in a
Blockbuster Video aisle and notice instead how Ethan Hawkes own
youthful, callow arrogance makes Hamlets vacillations believable. And
how the comical but infantilizing way Bill Murrays Polonius dotes upon his
daughter Ophelia (Julia Stiles)--and her mute acceptance of his attentions-
-lead her to thoughts of a watery grave even before her bout of madness.
And also notice how much Claudius truly does love Gertrude (when gazing
at her, Kyle MacLachlans face relaxes from its usual plasticity) and how
Sam Shepards ghost is less vengeful or tortured than stiffene d by remorse.
These are the shining moments of invention in Almereydas bold updating
of the play, and they are why this will be a film to watch and enjoy long
after its setting has made it as much a period piece as Oliviers adaptation,
with its broodingly lit castle, or Branaghs, with its gleaming 19th-century
court. --Bruce Reid
Great video. I used it in the classroom and showed several clips to
coincide with the text. The casting director made some great choices and
the director stays true to Shakespeares story as he would want it told. The
To be or not to be soliloquy is done beautifully--very introspective and
spoken as Hamlet walks through a Blockbuster. There are a few things
taken out of order, but only done for cinematic effect.
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