Review of Hamlet (1996) by Kimberly E — 10 Jun 2008

This is, quite possibly, the most brilliant movie ever made. Shakespeare as epic as it would have been in the early modern theatre. I will watch all four hours of this movie anytime. Branagh knows how to play with the nuanced language of Shakespeare in such a way that I feel like I'm discovering something new every time I watch.

To speak of an ensemble cast is an understatement in Hamlet. I am constantly amazed by the performances each actor gives in this film. Branagh's directing and cinematic style leaves them endless room for play, but also demands much of them. He sets up Elsinore as a brilliantly bright castle for playing, a stage akin to the early modern stage, one without curtains to hide behind, where even whispers echo from the walls for all to hear. Branagh's Elsinore contains the world of Denmark in its walls. The scenes outside of the castle (the ghost scene and the gravediggers' scene) manage to feel more claustrophobic than the scenes inside. This is partly due to Branagh's cinematography. As a director, Branagh is a master of the long, unbroken shot, building tension in many key scenes by not allowing us to look away. He wrings everything he can from performances and from set in service of the language and the story. Which makes this adaptation (unlike most shorter versions, I'm looking at you Mel Gibson) never boring and constantly in motion. Branagh always keeps his eye (and keeps our eyes) on the ultimate story.

I have fallen in love recently with Derek Jacobi's performance as the murdering, usurping Claudius and Julie Christie's performance as Gertrude. You can almost see why she chooses to remarry. And Jacobi's scene of contrition and confession is so beautiful, I almost want to like Claudius (and is one of those incredible long shots that doesn't allow us to blink). Kate Winslet turns in a stunning performance as Ophelia and manages to walk the fine line between the "crazy"/"not crazy" debate without determining us in either way. Nicholas Farrell as Horatio kills me every time. His performance shows us why Horatio is the only one Hamlet ever trusts.

I could go on and on about this movie. Suffice it to say, I have not even watched this movie with the director's commentary because I always want to hear what's going on in the scenes! You can all feel sorry for my future students who will, indeed, be subjected to this brilliant version of Hamlet.