User reviews

I don't understand why the reviews for this one are so bad. I found this movie quite enjoyable. The acting seemed fine to me and the scenery and costume designs were really lovely. I enjoyed watching this movie a lot. I suppose those looking for the traditional portrayal of Hamlet might be disappointed. I enjoyed the updated dialogue and storyline from Ophelia's point of view. Give it a chance - you'll likely be pleased you did.

I love Shakespeare, but I've also always had a soft spot for Ophelia. This reimagining of Hamlet is not faithful to the original text, so have an open mind and you may enjoy it. I don't generally like movies that apply modern sensibilities to classic stories and characters, but this one was tolerable. The acting was fine, the sets and costumes beautiful. Overall it was a fine film. But if you're a purist, don't bother.

Hard to believe the hostility directed against this movie. It's not Hamlet, but another take on the story from the viewpoint of Ophelia. The director chose to show the protagonist as a strong women. Enjoyed the character development and the storyline. Directing was solid. All the actors were quite believable in their roles.

This was enjoyable in my opinion. I've seen Hamlet. I've read the play. This is not an exact remake of the original work but I liked that it was a reimagining.

In this film, Ophelia is our main character and we seen how things unfold from her perspective. Her role in the original work is a big deal seeing as she was the innocence in a corrupt court who was driven to insanity and then suicide after the deaths of the men she loved most. Suicide was her escape from all the revenge, evil and madness taking place around her. Here we see her much more resilient without losing her innocent nature. The basic plot of the film is still present but things don't go down the same way.

I thought it was filmed well and the acting was good. I thought the concept presented was creative. I'm sure that a lot of folks will take issue and feel like it was to far removed from the original work but if you take it for what it is rather than point out all the differences, it was a good film. I say check it out.

I watched this because I wanted to see what Daisy Ridley's acting was like outside of Star Wars. I had seen her in Murder on the Orient Express, but her role was relatively small in that. This film isn't incredibly exciting, but Ridley certainly gives a fine performance as a fleshed-out Ophelia. The other actors carry themselves well, in addition; and the period sets, costumes, and locations are convincing.

I didn't know what to expect but I thought it was a pretty cool movie. I don't know much about Hamlet but I was entertained. Bravo.

It is not surprising the name of the costume designer features so early in the credits because he played a major role in making this film so watchable. All those gorgeous costumes must have cost a bit but along with some splendid décor, ecclesiastical and baronial interiors (and a few exteriors) and outdoor scenes of woods glades and hills this film never fail to offer pleasure for the eye. The story proceeds at a sufficient pace with some unexpected twists and turns while bringing out how empty and unsatisfying royal or any great power can be. Is it really worth fighting so hard for? Pity about the mayhem of the penultimate scene, it was unnecessary, but makes Ophelia's choice at the end seem a wise one.

"Ophelia" is a Drama - Romance movie in which we watch Hamlet from Ophelia's perspective. She was raised by Queen Gertrude in Elsinore Castle and she had some feelings for Prince Hamlet. Passion, romance, vengeance combined in this movie.

I found this movie interesting and different since it's from a different perspective than usual. The direction which was made by Claire McCarthy was good and she presented well her main characters and the plot behind her movie. The interpretation of Daisy Ridley who played as Ophelia was good and her combination with some other actors/actresses created a good result. Some other interpretations that have to be mentioned were Naomi Watts's who played as Gertrude / Mechtild, Clive Owen's who played as Claudius and George MacKay's who played as Hamlet. Finally, I have to say that "Ophelia" is an interesting movie and I recommend you to watch it just from curiosity.

As a huge fan of Shakespeare, I truly enjoyed this alternate take on the tale of Hamlet and Ophelia. The star-studded cast was a delight to watch deliver superb performances. The sets were absolutely breathtaking and the costuming was tasteful and evocative. The film was a rich feast of color and the music touched my heart. I found myself singing along with the theme and humming it after the end of the movie. I just love that a woman wrote the book, another the screenplay and the director was female as well. This definitely is a step in the right direction of telling "herstory" to take its rightful place aside "history".

As a rebellious and motherless child , orphan Ophelia (Mia Quiney) is taken into Elsinore Castle by Queen Gertrude (Naomi Watts) as one of her most trusted ladies-in-waiting and at the luxury palace she meets a young Hamlet (Jack Cunningham) . Soon enough, grown-up Ophelia (Daisy Ridley) captures the affections of the young Prince Hamlet (Calum O'Rourke) . When Hamlet's father (Nathaniel Parker) is killed and the prince's wits start to unravel into an insatiable quest for revenge, Ophelia sharply navigates the rules of power in Denmark all while struggling to choose between her true love and her own life. Vengeance Destroys Love ! . Hamlet Through Her Eyes !. Vengeance is hers !.

Nice film freely based on Shakespeare play , in fact it is more an inspiration than a faithful adaptation with carefully calculated scenarios. As appearing here and there various known personages from the classy play : Gertrude , Claudius , Polonius , Laertes , Horatius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern . Dealing with the famous and passionate romance kindles between Hamlet and Ophelia in secret as the kingdom is on the brink of war amidst its own political intrigue and betrayal ; then Hamlet vows vengeance on the murderer of his father in this tight version of the stage play . It contains compelling cast , spectacular production design in Czech Republic , where most the shooting was done , including many castles were available for on location filming , and sets were built on sound stages , being spendidly photographed by cameraman Denson Baker and beautifully costumed . However , something is lost in the process , although there are some redeeming , including those appearing Naomi Watts in a double role as Gertrude and Mechtild . Actors giving accesible and decent interpretations of the Bard's moody play . Stars Daisy Reily , famous thanks to Star Wars saga , she brings insight and nuance to her role , being well accompanied by a fine plethora of actors , mostly British ones , such as : Clive Owen as Claudius, Tom Felton , George MacKay , Devon Terrell , Sebastian De Souza and Nathaniel Parker who also played in Kenneth Brannagh's Hamlet .The motion picture was well and professionally directed by Claire McCarthy. Purists beware , this isn't a completely faithful adaptation.

There's a large number of cinematic renditions based on this classic play written by the great playwright William Shakespeare , these are the following ones : Hamlet 1948 directed and acted by Laurence Olivier with Jane Simmons , Peter Cushing , Christopher Lee , Felix Aylmer. Hamlet 1969 by Tony Richardson with Vanessa Redgrave , Marianne Faithfill , Nicol Williamson . Hamlet 1990 by Franco Zeffireli with Mel Gibson , Glenn Close , Alan Bates, Nathaliel Parker , Paul Scofield . Hamlet 1996 directed/played by Kenneth Brannagh with Kate Winslet , Derek Jacobi , Julie Christie , Brian Blessed . Hamlet 2000 by Michel Almereyda with Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlam, Diane Venora, Bill Murray . Hamlet 2001 directed/acted by Campbell Scott , with Jamey Sheridan, Blair Brown, Lisa Gay Hamilton , Sam Robards , among others.

Characters act like it's happening in 21st century: winking, rolling eyes at each other, etc. Ruins the authenticity of the period of time its based in.

I watched this at home on DVD from my public library. It seems to have polarized movie-goers, many "1" votes and many "10" votes. I quite like it, the movie has an interesting story and is acted and filmed very well.

I have the advantage of not knowing very much at all about Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" , the source play for the book and now the movie. As the filmmakers explain, this is a re-imagining of the basic story with more focus on Ophelia and Queen Gertrude, and what the complexity of their characters might have been. Die-hard Shakespeare fans most likely take issue, anything that changes from his various versions would likely be considered unforgivable sins.

But taken as a story greatly "inspired" by the play, with some significant changes and trajectory for Ophelia, it works very well, at least it does for me. Not a great movie but certainly very watchable and suitably entertaining. Not a "10", not a "1", somewhere between those extremes.

Daisy Ridley is really good as Ophelia, playing her as a reasonable but strong person. I don't really know much of his work but George MacKay (mac-eye) works well as Hamlet and Naomi Watts as Gertrude.

Based on the novel by Lisa Klein, the film follows the story of Hamlet from Ophelia's perspective. The movie boasts of a talented cast, tells the story on a different and interesting point of view and has a great ending. Unfortunately it suffers from some script's problems and sometimes it isn't as gripping as it should have been.

Rating: 6,5.

I just watched this for entertainment, I'm not a Shakespeare purist. Entertaining, engaging enough to hold my interest, with an interesting plot.

As a person who never read Shakespeares' work and is not familiar with this story, I think this movie was just okay.

Pros - the production design and cinematography is kinda cool. There are some really cool shots throughout the movie & dresses, the location, they felt real.

Daisy Ridley was pretty good as Ophelia, it was kinda nice to see her in something other than Star Wars.

The film is overall not that bad and watchable at times, but a lot of the time I couldn't help but think it was just mid.

The characters in this movie are very flat. Even though some actors tries their best and you can kinda see it, but the script doesn't explore or develop these characters that much. They didn't feel interesting other than Ophelia. (Even her character isn't that 'great', either)

The film isn't a disaster but I think it could have been a LOT better.

Edit: Daisy Ridley actions mad scene>>

Possibly because Hamlet is my favourite Shakespeare play, this film held me totally. Almost put off by other people's opinions,thank fully decided for myself. This was very clever,and holding. No two share fully the same views,but I am glad that to mine own self I was true. A haunting film,and I will never watch Hamlet in the same way again. Funny that it was so well received in Russia. TGray

People are very harsh. Okay it's not Shakespeare- no pun intended- it's still pretty fun if not heavy on the PC stuff. Naomi Watts in two roles is always dependable. Clive Owens is a bit scary, the wig ... worth a watch if you're fan fiction kinda person.

Pointless, boring, uninspired, insipid waste of time also - lol at there being Black and Asian people in the medieval Danish court

Tom Stoppard writes a play called "Rozencrantz and Guildestern are Dead" and he is universally applauded for his innovative and creative adaptation of Shakespeare in presenting the events of Hamlet the play from the perspective of a couple of minor characters.

A bunch of women (novelist, film director and actresses) are involved in doing exactly the same thing here from the perspective of Ophelia and are received at best lukewarmly by all.

Anyone detect a soupcon of sexism here?

The vast majority of IMDB critics have approached this film as if it were NOT an adaptation but a literal retelling of the play. Well, guess what? Adaptation means a change of perspective.

Many have also said the movie rambles and is not doing justice to the Bard's greatest play. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Hamlet is NOT Shakespeare's greatest play, merely his best known one. You can research that claim independently if you wish.

Suffice it to say that among trained literary and theatre critics Hamlet is universally declared to be so long, rambling and incoherent in plotting that it is RARELY performed whole without pretty serious "editing". Even the "great" Brits, indeed they more than anyone else, normally leave parts out in order to make it practically possible to have a run on the stage.

In comparison to the original play this film is infinitely more coherent dramatically, narratively and psychologically. And it is a very successful and respectful adaptation of the spirit of both Hamlet the play and Shakespeare at large. The following elements of the film are all completely Shakespearean in spirit and intention:

Ophelia often disguised as a boy. Lots of that happens in Shakespeare. Research it. The women in this adaptation are just as strong, if not stronger than the men as characters. Again a common pattern in Shakespeare.

Banter and double entendre abounds and is a mark of wit, a very Shakespearean motif. My fave in this film is Ophelia's "you'll foul your britches, my lord" to Hamlet, when he lustfully pursues her through the washerwomen at work on the outer palace grounds... priceless. I see the Bard smiling from heaven in amusement and approval...he would have loved it.

Ok. Enough of this. As a woman and a Shakespearean scholar I loved the film and the refreshment it tried so bravely to effect on the "Ophelia syndrome". The victim of vengeance from the original play has become the victor by refusing to engage in that very vengeance. A woman's wit and natural morality rise above politics and male culture. Again a theme prevalent in many of the Bard's other plays. (Juliet, Portia in Measure for Measure, Cordelia etc)

The acting is pretty brilliant all round. Daisy Ridley is pitch perfect. Special credit to a luminous Naomi Watts for the double role of Gertrude and her sister the witch who was also seduced by Claudius. A nice touch in the adaptation to extend the story line thus. It fleshed out Claudius brilliantly from just the cliche he is in the original play. Clive Owen is spectacular in the role, bringing out the sleazy ambition of the character most effectively.

Shakespeare isn't about Lawrence Olivier prancing about in tights as Hamlet and holding his hand to his temple to indicate emotional distress. That type of interpretation has gone out the window, and not a moment too soon. Shakespeare is about vital characters, noble, villainous, misguided, flawed, conflicted, ambivalent, and humanity's proclivity to get itself into a lot of troublesome situations.

This film is a fitting tribute to that spirit of gritty human reality we find in the Bard's work, which is its immortal greatness and universality. Indeed, I often think that Akira Kurosawa was the best interpreter of Shakespeare.

So why not a female take on a famous female literary character? What are critics afraid of? Praising a bunch of gifted women for daring to flex their artistic and intellectual muscle? Again, I say, the Bard would have loved it.

Having not read Hamlet, and being a fan of the woman's point of view, I found the actors, sceneries and story to do a great job of holding my attention. Many reviews of those who have seen Hamlet are low, but this film has now led me to begin reading Hamlet, which might change how I rate this film, but as of now, I would recommend.

The costume design, sets and visuals in this film are stunning. This is where the positives end for me.

I didn't initially realise this was a reimagining of Shakespeare's Hamlet and I can appreciate where they were going with this and a strong female lead in the story, but it really didn't transfer well.

The all Star cast were ok in their roles, but nothing earth shattering. The love story needed loads of developing and loads more could have been made of Clive Owens character being a threat to Hamlet's family, crown and future. Naomi Watt's duel roles was super confusing and brought nothing to either characters. (Which pains me to say as I love her as an actress). I really feel this film is style over substance.

If you want a good reimagining of Hamlet, I'd just watch the Lion King, the original animated one!