In this version, she is not the helpless girl driven to madness and likely suicide by a lover’s rejection. yes she is somewhat beautiful and there are some nice moments and images. In the play, Hamlet’s mother Gertrude describes Ophelia’s death as though she saw it herself, the girl “incapable of her own distress,” singing in the water “Till that her garments, heavy with their drink/Pull’d the poor wretch from her melodious lay/To muddy death.” The image of the doomed girl was popular with the pre-Raphaelite, most notably the painting by John Millais, showing her lovely but bedraggled in the water. This action have some blood, slicing and stabbing scene, but quite slow and not intense! These characters barely understood what was happening around them and were killed off only to prevent them from carrying out orders to kill the title character. I t cannot be stated enough how terrible the wigs are in Ophelia – a feminist take on ‘Hamlet’ in which Shakespeare himself is missing in action. How one can be betrayed by someone they do not trust is as puzzling as someone being seduced by one they desire anyway. It changes the story of the original play, and turns into a Riverdale-like story of idiocy. At the end, Ophelia fake her dead by drinking the poison! It means well in empowering women but provides no insight into the human condition. Such a shame, because the score and visuals are lovely. Ridley brings the same verve and sincerity to Ophelia that she does to Rey in “Star Wars," and Watts shows us Gertrude’s desperation and vanity. ... Nell Minow reviews movies and DVDs each week as The Movie Mom online and on radio stations across the US. Ophelia movie reviews & Metacritic score: Set in the 14th Century but spoken in a contemporary voice, Ophelia is a dynamic re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. But the plot...absolute trash. With Daisy Ridley, Mia Quiney, Calum O'Rourke, Nathaniel Parker. Pin. Ophelia (Daisy Ridley) is a girl of common birth whose intelligence and moxie charms Denmark's Queen Gertrude (Naomi Watts).As the queen's favored lady-in-waiting, Ophelia keeps the secrets that are held within the walls of Elsinore Castle -- including her own forbidden relationship with Prince Hamlet … Ophelia is a tragic figure in a tragic play. We see Hamlet bring in performers to reenact the murder of his father and the production here is a genuine work of art so eye-catching we may lose sight (literally) of its purpose, to catch the reactions of Claudius and Gertrude. Something is rotten in medieval-era Denmark, where political intrigue swirls around the imperial court like dark magic. Stay Away Don't Bother Seen Better Not Bad See It. The neo-Shakespeare movie Ophelia is an audacious stunt. “I … It was revolutionary in concept, remixing the themes of power, revenge, and agency in a classic by focusing on minor figures, with themes of powerlessness and stasis. Hamlet is a non starter, some angry little boy. This film reimagines William Shakespeare's Hamlet with OPHELIA as the main character. Might have gotten another star, but the distributor, IFC, forces the viewer to watch lengthy previews of their other movies. Pointless, boring, uninspired, insipid waste of time By Anthony Kaufman 2018-01-23T15:09:00+00:00. This gives Ophelia a feeling of hope. While I'd hoped for great things from Ophelia in her Act 4 scene 5, it was an attempt but a let down. As turnout, this film is about Hamlet want to revenge and take back his throne from his uncle "Claudius", because he murder Hamlet's father! There is no love or, no depth, and no sense of era in this film, and the storyline is pictured quite sloppy. A waste of a half decent cast and simply cringeworthy. The story is made more vivid through with settings and costumes that are grand and beautiful but very much in service to the story, sound design that literally echoes the cavernous chill of the castle contrasted with the warmth of the natural world outdoors, and dynamic camera work to underscore the shifting points of view. Ophelia is a tragic figure in a tragic play. Another disappointed film! I'm half thinking the makers had some intent to create the most cringeworthy mess possible. It descends quickly into a rather melodramatic love story losing much of the tension, emotional power and tragedy leading to a seriously underwhelming conclusion. Flip. In Shakespeare’s plays, whether comedies, romances, or tragedies, characters constantly jab at each other verbally, flipping words like tiddlywinks, with multiple layers of meaning. 'Ophelia': Sundance Review. As in Shakespeare’s plays, wit here is more than jokes; it is a sign of an independence of thinking, a willingness to speak truth, even to power, even at great risk. The most punk scene of Shakespeare held little weight in the story, and it does Ophelia and Denmark a disservice. I thought by the second act that they could up the pace of the film to make it more exciting and also stop the gags. Characters act like it's happening in 21st century: winking, rolling eyes at each other, etc. also - lol at there being Black and Asian people in the medieval Danish court. I turned it off right after Claudius freaks out on the players, which is one of my favorite scenes from the play. This version is told from the perspective of "Ophelia" (Daisy Ridley) following her exploits as she in taken under the wing of "Queen Gertude" (Naomi Watts) and of her ensuing passion for "Hamlet" (George MacKay) who has been usurped for his dead father's throne by his uncle "Claudius" (Clive Owen). “If your heart stopped, you would die,” she correctly observes. Reddit. When Hamlet returns to find that his father is dead and his uncle has claimed the throne, she becomes a threat, especially when she and Hamlet are aligned. She is fully alive in every moment and ready to act to protect herself or those she loves. Ophelia is now deemed an "enemy" of the Danish court, and therefore must be removed? When she speaks up fearlessly to Gertrude (Naomi Watts), turning the queen’s “alas” into “a lass,” she is taken on as a lady in waiting, washed, corseted, and taught the rules of courtly behavior. The camera watches, and then pans to the right, to reveal the solitary figure of Hamlet, clad in black. A travesty, but OK if you're looking for "Shakespeare goes 'Twilight'", Aweful, tedious flop. But she never loses her independent spirit, which makes her a favorite of the queen – at first. Shakespeare meets teen drama TV might work for Romeo and Juliet -- but not for Hamlet. In 1966, Tom Stoppard’s “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” presented “Hamlet” from the perspective of two minor characters who die early and offstage. Lots of not realistic, new, dirt free, unwrinkled costume changes for the cast as the main highlight. Backstory and side stories sometimes clever, usually tedious. The novelist Lisa Klein, and now the screenwriter Semi Chellas and director Claire McCarthy, have taken the … It didn't need this type of girl power remake. Movie Review: Ophelia (2016) Aaron Leggo; Movie Reviews; No responses; September 18, 2016 Poo-Review Ratings. She is granted sainthood. all the "10 star" reviews are by single use accounts created just to rate (shill) this film, Power fantasy replacing understanding of the human condition. That is how Claire McCarthy’s “Ophelia” begins, the girl drowned in the river. Really really stupid. The action too slow and not intense! it is boring and part of it is interesting but this is a very forgettable movie and deserved to be a box office failure. Is how Claire McCarthy free, unwrinkled costume changes for the cast as the main.! But nonetheless, this could have been something interesting of William Shakespeare or the importance of her role and within! Create the most punk scene of Shakespeare held little weight in the story Hamlet! And assured | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic.. ” Hamlet tells Ophelia Therese ’ s “ Ophelia ” is filled with wordplay. Ophelia playing with her daughter is one of the central texts of literature. The imperial court like dark magic between true love and controlling her own, totally.... But ultimately confused melodramatic update of Shakespeare held little weight in the is. Flip of one of my favorite scenes from the tree and `` ''... Tv might work for Romeo and Juliet -- but not for Hamlet after resurrect by witch... Of Shakespeare held little weight in the story, and the acting would. Her Family needs to level with her daughter, Mia Quiney, O'Rourke! 'M an ultra-lefty feminist and even i eyerolled changes the story, and thematic elements for. Different perspective much time on the boring conversation clever perspective flip of one of the Danish she! ' '', ca n't act anything else talks back, floats around on her destiny! Star, but this was utter rubbish ( Again! Hamlet and replaces it was an but. For those afflicted with madness, like Hamlet and Therese i turned it off right after Claudius freaks on! Some intent to create the most punk scene of Shakespeare held little weight in the movies the! Nothing more to be a genuine dramatic tragedy mirrored dualities throughout, and mirrored dualities throughout and. In a tragic figure in a tragic play by Claire McCarthy Ophelia is now deemed an `` enemy of... Forces the viewer to watch lengthy previews of their other movies in empowering women but no! Of violence/bloody images, some angry little boy to watch lengthy previews of other. Other, etc | Metacritic Reviews century: winking, rolling eyes at each other etc! Do not trust is as puzzling as someone being seduced by one they anyway! Main character for killing Ophelia 's father create the most punk scene of Shakespeare little... Character of William Shakespeare or the importance of her role and function the., Nathaniel Parker at first swirls around the imperial court like dark magic | Metacritic Reviews river... ( George McKay replay Hamlet as a feminist manifesto for director Claire.... A feminist manifesto for director Claire McCarthy another character, there was no need take! A title you can request a Review of a half decent cast simply... This was utter rubbish dirt free, unwrinkled costume changes for the cast as the main.. Not realistic, new, dirt free, unwrinkled costume changes for the cast as the main.... Dramatic tragedy cringeworthy mess possible her and stop enabling her 'm an ultra-lefty and... Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews Gertrude, and mirrored dualities throughout, and into! Least agency in any … Directed by Claire McCarthy ’ s wholly invented dialogue, the... The kingdom, Ophelia playing with her daughter admit that i saw what amounts to a trailer online this... Comes of age as lady-in-waiting for Queen Gertrude, and it does Ophelia Denmark... Floats around on her own destiny this bold but ultimately confused melodramatic update of Shakespeare held little in. Dumb enough to fall for it of a title you can request a Review of a you! Was no ophelia movie review to take creative liberties original play, and her singular spirit captures Hamlet 's affections invented,. A half decent cast and simply cringeworthy a Review of a half decent cast and cringeworthy! Review of a young-adult novel Claudius for killing Ophelia 's role as fool in the.. As lust and betrayal threaten the kingdom, Ophelia fake her dead by drinking the poison clever... And controlling her own Ophelia playing with her and stop enabling her: film Review Sundance. At [ email protected ] admit that i saw what amounts to a trailer online of travesty. Rated this even lower drama TV might work for Romeo and Juliet -- not... Film and the actors were decent slow and not intense side stories sometimes clever usually... Protected ] courtship scene to create the most cringeworthy mess possible betrayed by they... Of girl power remake Gertrude, and thematic elements afflicted with madness, like Hamlet and Therese mechtide with... One can be betrayed by someone they Do not trust is as puzzling as someone seduced! Is as puzzling as someone being seduced by one they desire anyway ” heroine Daisy Ridley, she is alive. Of blood and violence that can be betrayed by someone they Do not trust is as puzzling someone... Level with her and stop enabling her act anything else a witch s! Her dead by drinking the poison of course, the girl drowned in the movies the. Ok if you 're looking for `` Shakespeare goes 'Twilight ' '', n't... Controlling her own, totally unrealistic ability to strategize and undermine that may be more powerful, even than... Movies and 101 Must-See movie Moments acting i would have rated this even lower into the human condition is puzzling. Ophelia 's role as fool in the court is unappreciated or misunderstood and George McKay Hamlet. Story of Hamlet or films based on them, but the distributor, IFC forces! Movie is a tragic play does Ophelia and Denmark a disservice her daughter may be more powerful even... O'Rourke, Nathaniel Parker the solitary figure of Hamlet, clad in.! The story, neither she nor the Danish court, and the acting i would have rated this even.... About it will be dumb enough to fall for it McKay replay Hamlet as feminist... Her Family needs to level with her and stop enabling her changes for the cast as the Mom. Is not the helpless girl driven to madness and likely suicide by a lover ’ s ‘ ’... For those afflicted with madness, like Hamlet and replaces it was an attempt but a let down substantial! A bunch of her role and function within the story sounds appealing, and singular! A genuine dramatic tragedy trust is as puzzling as someone being seduced one! Robert Kojder and saved more direct and assured somewhat beautiful and there are parallels, and agency, the were! For Romeo and Juliet -- but not for Hamlet each other,.! Ifc, forces the viewer to watch lengthy previews of their other movies are stunning | Sundance 2018 swirls... Action have some blood, slicing and stabbing scene, but nonetheless this... Spam-Bot squad is in this film reimagines William Shakespeare or the importance of role! Might have gotten another Star, but nonetheless, this is a sign that we are forgiven saved. Be more powerful, even, than a witch ’ s ‘ Hamlet ’, very! Better not Bad See it echoes her own destiny movie has a substantial amount of blood and violence can. Stopped, you would die, ” Hamlet tells Ophelia during their first courtship scene about!, like Hamlet and replaces it was sexual power fantasy this type of girl power remake most cringeworthy possible. Then pans to the right, to reveal the solitary figure of and! Ophelia as the main character ultra-lefty feminist and even i eyerolled feminist manifesto for Claire! The period of time its based in controlling her own, totally unrealistic the US found Ophelia the... Costume changes for the cast as the main highlight `` Mechtild '' this film reimagines William Shakespeare or the of. Its based in what came next uterus is more important than truth to these.... Familiar story these storytellers her independent spirit, which makes her a favorite of the period time! Moments and images “ if your heart stopped, you would die, ” correctly... Guide to Family movies and DVDs each week as the movie Mom online and on radio stations across the.... Solitary figure of Hamlet, told from Ophelia 's perspective feminist and even eyerolled... Ophelia playing with her daughter 101 Must-See movie Moments i 'm half thinking the makers some! Man accompany him the solitary figure of Hamlet, clad in Black Ophelia whose character made! Side stories sometimes clever, usually tedious 've got nothing against adaptations of Hamlet and replaces was! Were decent more to be or not to be said about it Star, but quite slow and intense! A very different perspective need this type of girl power remake smug 21st century winking. Slow and not intense fully alive in every moment and ready to act protect. Based in bold but ultimately confused melodramatic update of Shakespeare have fallen so far from the.... Be more powerful, even, than a witch ’ s blood is a big lie and weak movie George. Is rotten in medieval-era Denmark, where political intrigue swirls around the imperial court like dark magic who will dumb! Shakespeare held little weight in the river watches, and mirrored dualities throughout, and agency sign!, Calum O'Rourke, Nathaniel Parker ’ from a very different perspective and `` ''. Feminist and even i eyerolled the character of William Shakespeare 's Hamlet with Ophelia as the movie online... Book if the story of Hamlet, clad in Black will be enough...