57. Hamlet; movie review

 

HAMLET

Cert 12A

117 mins

BBFC advice: Contains moderate violence, language

Let's address the elephant in the room.

The character of Hamlet is thirty years old, according to common consent among Shakespeare experts. Ian McKellen, who plays him in this production, is 84.

This version of the play is an age-blind and sex-blind. The audience has to challenge its imaginations to accept that McKellen is a much younger man and some women among the cast are men.

I confess it took ten minutes or so for my brain to accept the wizened old actor as the vibrant young Danish Prince, but once it had, I rather enjoyed Sean Mathias's film.

McKellen plays Hamlet alongside legends of stage and screen, Steven Berkoff, Frances Barber, Jonathan Hyde, Jenny Seagrove and Francesca Annis.

Because of COVID restrictions, the play was confined entirely to the Theatre Royal Windsor, where almost every room and nook and cranny was used.

So, some scenes are on the stage while others are in dressing rooms, on stairs or even on the fire escape.

In my view, one would need to know the plot of Shakespeare's famous play to follow this modern adaptation.

Nevertheless, armed with that knowledge, I enjoyed McKellen's portrayal of Hamlet pretending to go mad while seeking revenge on his stepfather (Hyde).

I also appreciated Seagrove's performance as the Queen, although I was still trying to understand why she was the only cast member with a Danish accent.

Despite the financial and set constraints and the age and sex blindness, this is an intriguing and entertaining twist on the Bard.

I also love to be reminded of the phrases that are now part of everyday language, such as murder most foul, shuffling off this mortal coil, the method in the madness and the lady doth protest too much.

However, I wouldn't recommend it to Shakespeare novices or those who don't know the Hamlet story.

The language, mixing up of the cast and the unusual backdrop could confuse.

Reasons to watch: Stellar cast

Reasons to avoid: If you don't know the play

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? The character of Hamlet has the most lines of any character in all of Shakespeare's plays. 

The final word. Ian McKellen: "I used to be bewildered when, as a teenager, I saw people old enough to be my parents, if not grandparents, playing juvenile parts. It was a bewilderment to me. Now I’m 83. Everyone’s young, so it doesn’t bother me anymore." Folger

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