Shakespeare and Hamlet are two names that you know. Maggie O’Farrell and Hamnet are two names you should know. Maggie O’Farrell is daring Shakespeare. She simply imagined the marital life of William Shakespeare and drew a connection between Shakespeare’s son, called Hamnet, and Shakespeare’s famous play Hamlet.

For the first hour of this film, I grew restless. “This is so boring,” I said to myself. I would like to learn something about Shakespeare’s thoughts and creative process, and all I’m getting is a standard “fall in love with a girl and parents don’t approve” story. Admittedly, the girl is interesting, but not so interesting that it can compete with getting a deeper insight into what makes Shakespeare Shakespeare.

But then the emotional intensity of the film takes a turn that is so profound, leaving my heart aching and tears rolling down my cheeks. I spoke highly of the film Sinners, but in terms of writing and emotional intensity, Hamnet is on a much higher plane. O’Farrell does not have to hide behind Shakespeare. She can craft a story of profound emotional impact, even when adapting her 2020 novel for the screen in collaboration with Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao.

Hamnet was nominated for eight Oscars and won only one for Best Actress, but for me, the writing deserves an Oscar as well. I saw the film two or three weeks ago, but I already want to see it again. Treat yourself to this remarkable achievement by O’Farrell and Chloé Zhao.