Date: Fri 16-May-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

Playing-Hamlet-Branagh-Ophelia

Full Text:

(rev Branagh's "Hamlet" for Now Playing, 5/16/97)

Now Playing-

Seventh Time's A Charm For Branagh's Marathon `Hamlet'

By Trey Paul Alexander III

Just a few weeks ago, The Crucible made its area premiere at Edmond Town Hall,

finally giving moviegoers in these parts the chance to see one of last year's

most underrated films. Beginning this Friday, we get treated to another

late-arriving gift, the area premiere of Hamlet . Kenneth Branagh's

sumptuously filmed treatment of the beloved William Shakespeare play descends

upon the Bethel Cinema and comes highly recommended. But be forewarned: those

with short-attention spans need not apply. This is the full text of

Shakespeare's play, and therefore runs approximately four hours (plus a brief

intermission). Get ready for a marathon!

Hamlet stars Branagh in the title role of the young prince whose recently

departed father's throne is now being warmed by his uncle, Claudius (Derek

Jacobi), who also wastes little time in making the widowed Queen Gertrude

(Julie Christie), Hamlet's mother, his wife. But then, most of you already

know this. The tale of the melancholy Dane, haunted by the ghost of his father

to seek revenge for the king's murder, is one of the most oft-told stories

since Shakespeare penned it in the late 16th Century. Thus, while the story

typically holds few surprises for modern audiences, the conveying of the

narrative - the interpretation of the play, its characters and its meaning -

is what counts in each new version (there have been seven film adaptations,

counting this one, ranging from an early silent film, to Laurence Olivier's

Oscar-winning version, to 1990s Mel Gibson-starring vehicle).

Here, Branagh's melancholy Dane is not so melancholy. Branagh plays Hamlet

more maniacal and manipulative than the typical characterization of the

passive prince. Whereas Hamlet is often portrayed as paralyzed by doubt,

cowardice or guilt, Branagh conveys his inaction as part of an elaborate plan

which includes feigning madness. For instance, the "To be, or not to be"

soliloquy, often the centerpiece sequence of Hamlet's uncertainty, is

brilliantly rendered with a twist, as a sneering Hamlet delivers it in a hall

of mirrors, full aware that eyes are spying upon him. What is usually a somber

moment of introspection becomes one in which Hamlet is playing to his audience

and concealing (rather than revealing) his inner thoughts.

Those familiar with the text of Hamlet will no doubt find plenty of moments,

in addition to the above, to hash over and debate in relation to past

interpretations of the play. Yet, despite Branagh's intriguing takes on the

various characters, Hamlet is more than a riveting, psychological character

study. It is arguably at its best as a grand, visually sweeping cinematic

vision of Shakespeare's work. Branagh's Hamlet takes place in the 19th Century

(instead of medieval times) and with that setting comes breathtaking sets and

elaborate costuming. Among many standout sequences are the ceremony near the

opening of the film, and the soliloquy that closes the first segment of the

movie before intermission. Branagh's thoroughly cinematic vision of Hamlet

begins with the panoramic, colorful backdrop on which he places his players,

and ends with his inspired, eclectic casting.

Hamlet stars the aforementioned Branagh, Jacobi and Christie, but also

features Kate Winslet, Billy Crystal, Charlton Heston (who has a wonderfully

stirring scene), Jack Lemmon, Robin Williams, Rufus Sewell, Gerard Depardieu

and a host of others. I'll let viewers judge which of these actors succeeds or

fails at Shakespearean-speak, but there is little denying the potent

collection of talents on display.

Hamlet is rated PG-13 for violence and surprisingly explicit love scenes

between Hamlet and Ophelia (I don't remember that from English class!).