Hamlet showcases Ahmed’s way with ‘Words, words, words’
Set in modern day London amid a wealthy South Asian family, Hamlet is the latest cinematic adaptation of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy. Clearly filmed on a modest budget, yet using dialogue directly pulled from Shakespeare’s text, Hamlet will be embraced by thespians and fans of the Bard, but generally dismissed by casual moviegoers looking for something more grandiose.
Hamlet is directed by Aneil Karia (Surge; Top Boy) and stars Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal) as the titular Hamlet. In the story, upon returning home for his father’s funeral, Hamlet learns his mother Gertrude (Sheeba Chaddha) is engaged to his uncle Claudius (Art Malik). Distraught and confused, Hamlet is visited by his father’s spirit, who tells him that he was murdered by Claudius, putting Hamlet on a vengeful path. Complicating matters are Hamlet’s friend Laertes (Joe Alwyn) and former love interest, Laertes’ sister Ophelia (Morfydd Clark). The acting, across the board, is superb. Ahmed’s vulnerable and dynamic performance is easily the film’s biggest draw. Rather than just spouting the lines from memory, Ahmed imbues each phrase with deep emotion, conjuring a much-celebrated character arc with effortless naturalism.
Hamlet labors through its first half, taking on the melancholic introspection of its characters, and lacks a stylistic or narrative jolt for the audience. However, when the film reaches Claudius and Gertrude’s wedding and then the famous “to be or not to be” speech, its energy picks up and stays tense until the end. If you’re familiar with Shakespeare’s play, you’ll notice that, at under two hours, Hamlet isn’t going to be a word-for-word adaptation. There’s a lot left out, but the film is better for it, considering its modern setting and a story that only hints at, but doesn’t fully explore, the central family’s corrupt business empire. Karia only brings over the text and soliloquies that fit the story he’s trying to tell, making Hamlet one of the easier adaptations to follow.
The South Asian characters and modern day setting aren’t enough to place Hamlet into bold, uncharted adaptation territory. Karia’s steadfast, unassuming direction keeps the film’s focus on the dialogue delivery, and that is where the film earns its laurels. With more visual panache, Hamlet may have been a more attractive theatrical experience. As it stands, Karia’s film is a solid addition to a longstanding legacy of Hamlet films and Ahmed’s performance is a strong case study for drama classes.
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Hamlet opens in theaters on Friday, April 10th.
