MOVIE REVIEW: HAMNET

 

William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes, celebrate the birth of their son, Hamnet. However, when tragedy strikes and Hamnet dies at a young age, it inspires Shakespeare to write his timeless masterpiece "Hamlet."

Director: Chloé Zhao

Cast: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn, Jacobi Jupe, David Wilmot, Olivia Lynes

Release Date: November 26, 2025 

Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Romance

Rated PG-13 for thematic content, some strong sexuality, and partial nudity.

Runtime: 2h 5m

Review:

Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet is a historical drama that takes you on an enveloping emotional journey that’s as uplifting as it is devastating thanks in large part to a mesmerizing turn from Jessie Buckley.  Zhao’s film is a study in subtly from the start as she holds images and frames the characters in a way that makes them look like they could be renaissance paintings.  She uses her ability to create a naturalistic look and feel to great effect here as there are countless quiet moments shared between characters and their environment to communicate a venerable treasure trove of emotional information.  Her direction gives the film a primal but utterly humanistic aura which creates an engrossing world for the characters to inhabit.  The central duo of Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley are both clearly in their element with each instantly inhabiting the skin of each character and living it with an impressive level of authenticity.  Mescal’s turn is a study in measured, understatement as we follow his character go from unrealized “useless” scholar to a successful playwright.  Through it all, he brings a sense of undying love for his wife and children although there’s a sense of restraint especially after tragedy strikes.  It’s not the beefiest role in the film but he delivers excellent work in every time he’s onscreen.  Jessie Buckley though is the lifeblood of the film with a truly astonishing turn that runs through an obstacle course of emotions.  Buckley always brings an intelligence and intensity to her roles which is perfectly suited to this role.  She brings something otherworldly to the character that’s enchanting from the moment she appears onscreen.  The opening sequences of infatuation and love ring just as true as the heartbreaking moment of loss.  She’s captivating throughout with the final act serving as a showcase for her talents with character’s catharsis is laid bared onscreen.  It’s the kind of the singular performance that’s sure to garner many well-earned awards accolades when the time comes as she makes Hamnet a powerful experience that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.

A

MOVIE REVIEW: GLADIATOR II

 

Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honor needed to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Director: Ridley Scott

Cast: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington

Release Date: November 22, 2024

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama

Rated R for strong bloody violence.

Runtime: 2h 28m

Review:

Gladiator 2 marks Ridley Scott's return to ancient Rome's fighting pits with massive action set pieces that are dazzling and entertaining, but the story never finds its own footing as it is content with hitting the same beats as the original.  Twenty four years after his Oscar winning original Ridley Scott is still a master of creating massive set pieces with a heavier emphasis on maritime action here.  The battles are wonderfully staged and appropriately bloody and chaotic as Scott ups the ante in terms of cinematic mayhem.  These moments deliver the kind of thrills you'd expect from a legendary filmmaker returning to one of his most loved creations but it does beg the question as to why the story feels like an afterthought.  The plot seems to twist itself into all sort of illogical contrivances to make Maximus's son follow the exact same path as his father.  It would be excusable if it had something new, interesting or revelatory to say but its pretty much the same "Dream of Rome" tagline from the original.  It makes everything feel like a hollow facsimile of the original which is hammered home with clips of that film being inserted throughout.  Paul Mescal has the unenviable task of stepping into Russell Crowe's shoes here and sadly he can't match the screen presence or intensity he brought in the original film.  Mescal does his best but he's generally the least interesting character onscreen as we follow him go through the same trials as Crowe's Maximus, he even has a dead wife he wants to meet in the afterlife to boot.  Suffering a similar fate are Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger who have to step into the emperor role which Joaquin Phoenix memorably played in the original. In spite of their best effort, neither can really bring the sort of dangerous depravity needed to make for a memorable antagonist.  Pedro Pascal fairs better with a measured turn as a general who is ready to lead a revolt.  The film wouldn't have fared better if it'd given his character more of a spotlight as there's plenty of moral grey to play with but the story never bothers to fully explore it.  Denzel Washington proves to be the film's saving grace as the only real movie star onscreen throughout.  Washington is clearly having a ball as he chews up scenery gleefully every time he shows up onscreen.  He bring so much enthusiastic energy to his performance that you easily overlook how clichéd the character and his motivations are written.  In another universe there's a better version of this story that would have focused on Pascal and Washington's characters and political aspirations and intrigue.  These kind of missed opportunities leaves Gladiator 2 feeling like a well constructed but ultimately soulless retread of far better film. 

B-