This may be weak, but I can’t bring myself to watch it. I was undone by the book. (I had to sit next to my son’s bed as he slept and hold his dear little hand.) He is now the same age as Hamnet and is the best boy that ever there was. So it is self-preservation.
In my defence, I interviewed Maggie O’F (over zoom in ye olden pandemic times) and she said she couldn’t write it until her own son was past Hamnet’s age. And she couldn’t write That Scene in the family home. I remind myself of this to feel better about not getting involved at this stage!
You are wise, not weak. It is incredibly well acted, particularly by the dear little boy, who yes, is the embodiment really of everybody’s darlingest son. I remember so well deeply believing, at that age, that it was possible to bargain with God, or fate, or whatever, and that coupled with an intense feeling that one is somehow responsible for the feelings of others around us…I had not thought about this for so many years, and I was transported back to my own childhood.
I love the phrase "soothing mossy dampness", Laetitia! I saw it last week too. The most beautiful film I've seen in a very long time. I loved the forest scenes, so immersive. I went with a large group of friends and was struck by the difference in reaction. We were all mothers of boys. And some were completely unmoved, others completely undone - one friend ran off as soon as the film ended as she could not control her emotions, tears streaming down her face. I sobbed at the point of death - the cry she lets out had so much pain in it. The last few scenes felt too intense somehow - I slid from Jessie Buckley being completely believable to feeling as though I was watching her act. Side note - absolutely blown away by the overall quality of acting. Joe Alwyn, in the background of so many scenes. The children, especially Jacobi Jupe playing Hamnet. Saying goodbye to his father, later behind the veil - incredible acting.
Yes I experienced same - some people were just like ‘nope-too much, left me cold’ and others like me completely transported. And yes those brothers playing Hamnet and Hamlet will go far.
I'm completely changed by that film, had to restrain myself from howling while sobbing in the cinema, staggered out and home and had to lie down. Total brilliance totally devastating, totally wonderful and beautiful and dreadful, a reflection of life.
I totally agree it was INCREDIBLE. like others who have posted comments, I almost had to stuff a hanky in my mouth to stop myself howling. It was possibly the most moving film I have ever seen, and I thought Jessie Buckley’s performance was utterly extraordinary. Her grief was everyone’s grief, it was SO real. I heard Chloe Zhao on Women’s Hour and she described how they did these scenes - how they picked the crew very carefully and started the day very slowly. Everyone sort of shared the grief and felt it, and then they ended the day by dancing! Fascinating. I loved the book and sobbed through that too. I would urge anyone who hasn’t seen it to go. Don’t be scared - yes it haunts you afterwards but it is also a celebration of the hugeness of human hearts and a completely fascinating take on how we deal with grief in our short lives.
Feels a bit sacrilegious to say it, but Hamnet was a bit of a mixed bag for me, both book and film, but you have brought back the MAGICAL opening scene of the trees and the gorgeous shots of mossy floor. Breathtaking!
I haven't seen it but want to! However, I have the book and want to read that first (forewarned is forearmed?). Which probably means I won't get to see it until it comes out on streaming. This is probably just as well as I cry at everything these days and I will be able to sob unselfconsciously in my own home!
I saw it on Friday night and couldn’t stop crying. I found it very hard to watch, so intense, incredible. It’s stayed with me since.
I love how you have created your own mini forest in response to watching the film.
I created the cover illustration for the book (a linocut print), and the herbs and forest vegetation was supposed to represent Agnes. Maggie O’Farrell told me that Hamnet had no gravestone and so she felt that this H was finally his memorial. ❤️
Oh how wonderful! I’ve just found your beautiful cover- I love the owl’s face. You are so talented! Do you think the book was honoured by the film? I’ve not read it yet.
Thank you so much, that is so kind! I had to read the book very quickly before publication for the cover so I always want to go back and read it again properly.
The fact that Maggie was the joint screenwriter means for me that it does honour her vision. In conversations about the cover Agnes was always central, the idea of her deep connection with nature and the using of plants and herbs to help Hamnet, and the overwhelming feeling of loss. Those for me were the threads that ran through the film so beautifully, as well as the book. I think I love both equally maybe in slightly different ways….
I read the book during lockdown and wept. I saw the play at Stratford and wept. I haven't seen the film ... but I bet I would weep. I loved the book and the play but I doubt I will watch the film for much the same reasons that I can never re-read Mourning Ruby by the peerless Helen Dunmore or rewatch Sophie's Choice. Sad can be cathartic but sometimes it's just too sad. I have a childless -- by choice -- philosopher friend who is an expert on 'love'. I tell him he can't be, unless and until he has felt the love a parent feels ... [doesn't go down well!].
I absolutely loved Hamnet an extraordinary book and the film captured it perfectly. Jess Buckley is astonishingly good. I cried multiple times and then had to go and hug my own son very tightly.
Whatever you do do not read @AN Wilson’s take on the film - I too loved it especially the looking up into the beech leaves shots so good for a Driech day in mid January and the cathartic weeping opportunities x I loved the book more though I think x
The magic of Shakespeare emerging from the mossy grove to enchant us forever, the price paid by a little boy for being brave and kind, and given the gift of eternity by his grieving father.
I didn’t sob through it actually - I was surprised by that - I was just mesmerised by the performances and the sweet simple tale of a family torn by loss. So common in those days, if we can imagine it. 🌳🦌
Hamnet is my choice for this month’s book club. I’ve had it in my head to read for over a year so was delighted when when I heard a film was being made of it. We’re going to the cinema and then having a meeting directly after to discuss. Reading all your comments a rethink may be needed, I think we’re going to be rinsed.
Lovely post Laetitia, I adore the mossy world you've created. I saw Hamnet yesterday and was expecting to cry throughout but only cried all through the theatre scenes at the end, the releif of her face 'seeing' her son and his in knowing she had come to the theatre and that she understood that he had suffered too. I loved the book, loved the film too. Staggeringly good acting all round. Bravo.
I did like it but defo over-hyped. However the moment he’s giving the “To be or…” speech while looking down into the water is the only time I’ve heard it like someone expressing a real thought rather than giving a speech.
I ugly sobbed into a hankie my Dad thankfully lent me beforehand- my mum gasped loudly at one point. We were all very moved. I did find the play part at the end slightly too long but adored it, so moving. My 4 yo looks like Hamnet, totally undid me.
This may be weak, but I can’t bring myself to watch it. I was undone by the book. (I had to sit next to my son’s bed as he slept and hold his dear little hand.) He is now the same age as Hamnet and is the best boy that ever there was. So it is self-preservation.
In my defence, I interviewed Maggie O’F (over zoom in ye olden pandemic times) and she said she couldn’t write it until her own son was past Hamnet’s age. And she couldn’t write That Scene in the family home. I remind myself of this to feel better about not getting involved at this stage!
xx
You are wise, not weak. It is incredibly well acted, particularly by the dear little boy, who yes, is the embodiment really of everybody’s darlingest son. I remember so well deeply believing, at that age, that it was possible to bargain with God, or fate, or whatever, and that coupled with an intense feeling that one is somehow responsible for the feelings of others around us…I had not thought about this for so many years, and I was transported back to my own childhood.
Same here - sobbed so hard at book, can't face the film! Xxx
I love the phrase "soothing mossy dampness", Laetitia! I saw it last week too. The most beautiful film I've seen in a very long time. I loved the forest scenes, so immersive. I went with a large group of friends and was struck by the difference in reaction. We were all mothers of boys. And some were completely unmoved, others completely undone - one friend ran off as soon as the film ended as she could not control her emotions, tears streaming down her face. I sobbed at the point of death - the cry she lets out had so much pain in it. The last few scenes felt too intense somehow - I slid from Jessie Buckley being completely believable to feeling as though I was watching her act. Side note - absolutely blown away by the overall quality of acting. Joe Alwyn, in the background of so many scenes. The children, especially Jacobi Jupe playing Hamnet. Saying goodbye to his father, later behind the veil - incredible acting.
Yes I experienced same - some people were just like ‘nope-too much, left me cold’ and others like me completely transported. And yes those brothers playing Hamnet and Hamlet will go far.
I'm completely changed by that film, had to restrain myself from howling while sobbing in the cinema, staggered out and home and had to lie down. Total brilliance totally devastating, totally wonderful and beautiful and dreadful, a reflection of life.
… in so many ways. It contains so much.
I totally agree it was INCREDIBLE. like others who have posted comments, I almost had to stuff a hanky in my mouth to stop myself howling. It was possibly the most moving film I have ever seen, and I thought Jessie Buckley’s performance was utterly extraordinary. Her grief was everyone’s grief, it was SO real. I heard Chloe Zhao on Women’s Hour and she described how they did these scenes - how they picked the crew very carefully and started the day very slowly. Everyone sort of shared the grief and felt it, and then they ended the day by dancing! Fascinating. I loved the book and sobbed through that too. I would urge anyone who hasn’t seen it to go. Don’t be scared - yes it haunts you afterwards but it is also a celebration of the hugeness of human hearts and a completely fascinating take on how we deal with grief in our short lives.
The hugeness of the human heart. So well said. Thank you Clare and I’ll listen to the WH interview.
Yes it’s worth a listen, she came over so well. I’m glad the film is already winning awards, it deserves them all!
Wasn’t it amazing. And so beautifully filmed
But did your eyes get damp MD? X
There may have been a touch of moisture and an eye twitch that somehow found a momentary weakness in this otherwise macho carapace…
😝
Feels a bit sacrilegious to say it, but Hamnet was a bit of a mixed bag for me, both book and film, but you have brought back the MAGICAL opening scene of the trees and the gorgeous shots of mossy floor. Breathtaking!
Not sacrilegious- I think you’re in good company, just drowned out by all the wailers! X
I haven't seen it but want to! However, I have the book and want to read that first (forewarned is forearmed?). Which probably means I won't get to see it until it comes out on streaming. This is probably just as well as I cry at everything these days and I will be able to sob unselfconsciously in my own home!
I adore your mossy tree base!
Good call I wish I’d been at home!!!
I saw it on Friday night and couldn’t stop crying. I found it very hard to watch, so intense, incredible. It’s stayed with me since.
I love how you have created your own mini forest in response to watching the film.
I created the cover illustration for the book (a linocut print), and the herbs and forest vegetation was supposed to represent Agnes. Maggie O’Farrell told me that Hamnet had no gravestone and so she felt that this H was finally his memorial. ❤️
Oh how wonderful! I’ve just found your beautiful cover- I love the owl’s face. You are so talented! Do you think the book was honoured by the film? I’ve not read it yet.
Thank you so much, that is so kind! I had to read the book very quickly before publication for the cover so I always want to go back and read it again properly.
The fact that Maggie was the joint screenwriter means for me that it does honour her vision. In conversations about the cover Agnes was always central, the idea of her deep connection with nature and the using of plants and herbs to help Hamnet, and the overwhelming feeling of loss. Those for me were the threads that ran through the film so beautifully, as well as the book. I think I love both equally maybe in slightly different ways….
I read the book during lockdown and wept. I saw the play at Stratford and wept. I haven't seen the film ... but I bet I would weep. I loved the book and the play but I doubt I will watch the film for much the same reasons that I can never re-read Mourning Ruby by the peerless Helen Dunmore or rewatch Sophie's Choice. Sad can be cathartic but sometimes it's just too sad. I have a childless -- by choice -- philosopher friend who is an expert on 'love'. I tell him he can't be, unless and until he has felt the love a parent feels ... [doesn't go down well!].
You must be very good, very real friends to be able to say that (very true) thing to him!
He's very tolerant of my sweeping statements ... and is a very good friend!
I absolutely loved Hamnet an extraordinary book and the film captured it perfectly. Jess Buckley is astonishingly good. I cried multiple times and then had to go and hug my own son very tightly.
Yes the children were rather nonplussed when we got home and held them!
Whatever you do do not read @AN Wilson’s take on the film - I too loved it especially the looking up into the beech leaves shots so good for a Driech day in mid January and the cathartic weeping opportunities x I loved the book more though I think x
I’m now going to HAVE to go and find that review! lol did he loathe it?
Looooaaaathe xxx
Wasn’t it an extraordinary film. (And book, obv)
The magic of Shakespeare emerging from the mossy grove to enchant us forever, the price paid by a little boy for being brave and kind, and given the gift of eternity by his grieving father.
I didn’t sob through it actually - I was surprised by that - I was just mesmerised by the performances and the sweet simple tale of a family torn by loss. So common in those days, if we can imagine it. 🌳🦌
Unimaginable indeed. How extraordinarily lucky an privileged we are to live in a time and place where this is no longer in the normal run of things
Hamnet is my choice for this month’s book club. I’ve had it in my head to read for over a year so was delighted when when I heard a film was being made of it. We’re going to the cinema and then having a meeting directly after to discuss. Reading all your comments a rethink may be needed, I think we’re going to be rinsed.
It’s intense…in the best way
Lovely post Laetitia, I adore the mossy world you've created. I saw Hamnet yesterday and was expecting to cry throughout but only cried all through the theatre scenes at the end, the releif of her face 'seeing' her son and his in knowing she had come to the theatre and that she understood that he had suffered too. I loved the book, loved the film too. Staggeringly good acting all round. Bravo.
Yes, and that he would re-live that suffering each night, despite not being actually THERE
YES, and all the rehearsals in the theatre and the watching of a boy being like his boy would have been.
I did like it but defo over-hyped. However the moment he’s giving the “To be or…” speech while looking down into the water is the only time I’ve heard it like someone expressing a real thought rather than giving a speech.
I agree…however that was the one bit my husband thought was too much. So strange and fascinating to see the different reactions
I ugly sobbed into a hankie my Dad thankfully lent me beforehand- my mum gasped loudly at one point. We were all very moved. I did find the play part at the end slightly too long but adored it, so moving. My 4 yo looks like Hamnet, totally undid me.
We came home and went straight to the sleeping children and held them. They were rather annoyed lol!