“Ophelia 2019” is a reimagining of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” from the perspective of Ophelia. She is a flower in a garden of thorns, caught between the love of Prince Hamlet and the political machinations of the royal court. As she navigates betrayal and heartache, Ophelia must decide whether to be a pawn or take control of her own fate. The movie explores themes of gender, power, and agency in a visually stunning and emotionally resonant way.
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Review
Ophelia: A Powerful Reimagining of Shakespeare’s Classic
Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a timeless classic, but it’s not exactly known for its well-rounded female characters. In the play, Ophelia is little more than a tragic figure, used as a pawn in the power games of the men around her. But now, director Claire McCarthy has taken on the challenge of reimagining this problematic character and giving her agency in the new film, “Ophelia.”
At its core, “Ophelia” is a love story between two star-crossed lovers – Hamlet and Ophelia. The film follows their story from childhood to adulthood, but it’s not just a retelling of Shakespeare’s play. Instead, it flips the narrative on its head and gives Ophelia a more prominent role.
Daisy Ridley plays Ophelia with strength and vulnerability – she’s a woman who refuses to be silenced by the men around her. Her relationship with Hamlet (played by George MacKay) is one of equals – they challenge each other and support each other in equal measure.
The plot stays true to some aspects of Shakespeare’s play but takes some creative liberties as well. For example, the character of Queen Gertrude (played by Naomi Watts) is given much more depth than she has in the original text. She becomes an ally to Ophelia rather than just another figurehead caught up in the political machinations of her husband and son.
Despite being set centuries ago, “Ophelia” feels incredibly modern thanks to its emphasis on women’s empowerment and subverting traditional gender roles. It’s refreshing to see a female-led period piece that doesn’t revolve entirely around men.
It also helps that “Ophelia” is stunningly shot – every frame could be hung in an art gallery. The location filming in Prague adds to the film’s magic – there are breathtaking shots of a forest lit by the moon and moody, candlelit scenes in the castle’s underground tunnels.
Another standout element of “Ophelia” is its score by Steven Price. The music is haunting and beautiful, perfectly capturing the film’s ethereal, dreamlike quality.
Overall, “Ophelia” is a beautifully realized film that provides a fresh perspective on one of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays. It’s packed with strong performances and stunning visuals and is sure to be a hit with fans of historical dramas and feminist literature.
But don’t just take our word for it – here are some quotes from critics who enjoyed the film:
– “Daisy Ridley is terrific as Ophelia… [her] Ophelia is empowered and engaging.” – Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
– “The performance of Naomi Watts as Gertrude… will break your heart.” – Amy Nicholson, Variety
– “Ophelia is not just a character but an enigmatic, multifaceted woman.” – Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times
It’s worth noting that not everyone was as thrilled with “Ophelia.” Some critics found fault with the film’s pacing or how closely it hews to Shakespeare’s play. However, even these detractors praised the performances from Ridley and Watts.
In terms of awards recognition, “Ophelia” has yet to make much of a splash. It premiered at Sundance in 2018 but wasn’t picked up for distribution until later that year. It has since had limited theatrical releases in various countries but has not garnered any major awards attention.
Regardless of whether or not it gets any hardware, “Ophelia” will likely remain a cult favorite among fans of feminist literature and Shakespeare adaptations for years to come. It’s a brave departure from the source material that creates something entirely new while still remaining true to the spirit of Shakespeare’s work.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 114
- Release : 2019-06-28
- Genre : Drama, Romance, History
- Cast : Daisy Ridley as Ophelia, Naomi Watts as Gertrude / Mechtild, Clive Owen as Claudius, George MacKay as Hamlet, Tom Felton as Laertes
- Crew : David Minkowski as Co-Producer, Matthew Stillman as Co-Producer, Martin Vačkář as Art Direction, Ehren Kruger as Producer, Steven Price as Original Music Composer
- Popularity 19.192
- Budget : $12,000,000
- Revenue : $242,115
- Company : Bobker / Kruger Films, Covert Media, Forthcoming Films
- Summary : Ophelia comes of age as lady-in-waiting for Queen Gertrude, and her singular spirit captures Hamlet’s affections. As lust and betrayal threaten the kingdom, Ophelia finds herself trapped between true love and controlling her own destiny.
- Tagline : Hamlet through her eyes.
