Review of Hamlet (1990) by Katie D — 09 Nov 2007

My first reaction to this movie was who the eff thought it was a good idea to cast Mel Gibson as poor Hamlet in the greatest written play that has ever graced the english stage. Now, in all honesty I was rather surprised how well he pulled it off. While not thoroughly convincing (I kept being forcibly reminded of him in Lethal Weapon for some strange reason...) he was able to communicate the tragic ambivalence that runs through the very core of this masterpiece "To be, or not to be,"...but to be what? To be a murderer. Gibson definiely pulled off the soliloquy where Hamlet develops a dual personality, which is arguably one of the most challenging passages to perform. But something was just missing for me, though I may be biased because I'll admit I'm a little bit in love with Kenneth Branaugh.

The highlight of the movie was Helena Bohnam Carter's Ophelia, although they cut her most famous soliloquy..(bastards).

This movie is like concentrated orange juice. They cut everything but the main plotline, the pulp. There was no warring, barely any Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and it seemed incredibly rushed to me. (Albeit Hamlet done correctly takes about 4 and a half hours on the stage).

If you're looking to be diverted or entertained then I suppose this is the movie for you. If you're looking for the power and majesty of a true Shakespearean tragedy, I suggest you look elsewhere...*cough*Branaugh*cough*.