OPHELIA

Synopsis: Director Claire McCarthy has breathed new life into the story of Hamlet with her latest film following Hamlet’s lover, the character of Ophelia. This adaptation of Lisa Klein’s novel, which retold the original William Shakespeare classic Hamlet in young adult form, features stars Daisy Ridley and Naomi Watts playing outstanding and commanding women as it goes behind the scenes of the original story. Ridley stars as Ophelia while Watts performs in the dual roles of Queen Gertrude and the witch Mechtild. (4/5 stars)

Review by FF2 Intern Anika Guttormson

Claire McCarthy’s adaptation of Ophelia, written by Semi Challas, does a fantastic job of giving us a look into the mind of one of the theatre’s most iconic characters. Fans of the Shakespearian classic need not worry as the original story of Hamlet remains intact, though told instead through the eyes of Hamlet’s lover. Taking inspiration from Lisa Klein’s young adult adaptation of Hamlet, the two kids secretly fall in love over the summer amidst fields of wheat, sharing kisses and dreaming of a better tomorrow until Hamlet (George MacKay) has to leave the castle to go back to college for many months without telling Ophelia. From here on their relationship, though strong, stands on a foundation of mistrust and deception, as Hamlet chooses to perpetually leave Ophelia out of his decision making. This becomes especially rampant after Hamlet’s father, the King, was killed by his brother Claudius (Clive Owen). Hamlet becomes blinded by a quest for vengeance for his father, to the point of putting himself in life-threatening danger, and Ophelia is forced to watch.

The best aspect of McCarthy’s adaptation is the newfound agency which she instills into Ophelia. Over the course of the film Ophelia loses her interest in being a passive observer in Hamlet’s life and by the final act has learned how to become an active participant in not only his life, but in her own life as well. This is aided by the guidance of Naomi Watts’ role of the witch Mechtild, who is the outcast sister of Queen Gertrude. The two meet when Ophelia is sent to collect an anti-aging tonic from the witch for the Queen’s consumption, and slowly form a friendship. Mechtild pushes Ophelia to take command of her own life, and her support becomes vital in Ophelia’s quest to find her voice. This relationship serves as a reminder for us in the audience that female friendships can be just as important as any romantic relationship we may find ourselves in.

Ophelia is carried by the incredible performances of its main women, Daisy Ridley and Naomi Watts. Ridley’s rendition of Ophelia is spectacular and engrossing. It’s hard to look away when she commands the screen. Few actors are capable of creating a compelling presence when their characters are forced to act so reserved, but Ridley makes sure to captivate us through every longing glance or held back remark. As Ophelia grows in confidence, Ridley really begins to shine. Her most spectacular moment of acting comes during her breakdown. There are flashes of both kindness and cunning during this scene, and Ridley flows between each emotion seamlessly.

The hardest lesson learned from Ophelia is the truth that sometimes no amount of loving someone else can convince them to treat you in the way you deserve. Hamlet makes promise after promise to Ophelia, even marrying her in secret in order to prove his love and devotion to her. But when it comes to making decisions about his future, Hamlet often chooses to opt out of sharing his desires with Ophelia or include her in his many schemes. His recklessness jeopardizes their chance to be together when he makes a mistake and angers Ophelia’s brother Laertes (Tom Felton). When she begs him to slow down and think about what he really wants, and to recognize that vengeance and anger are not always the right options, Hamlet again chooses the path that hurts her the most.

Claire McCarthy defies expectations with Ophelia by not only succeeding in telling the popular story of Hamlet in a new and interesting way, but also by reworking an already beloved character in a way that makes her all the more incredible. This is not a film that you’d want to miss.

© Anika Guttormson (7/16/19) FF2 Media

Photo Credits: IMDB

Q: Does Ophelia pass the Bechdel-Wallace Test?

Yes.

Some of the best moments of the film are when Ophelia holds conversations with the other women.

Commentary by Review Coach Giorgi Plys-Garzotto

There’s so many layers of images and mythic tropes in this film, not to mention in the play the film is based on, that watching Ophelia is like eating a really densely packed Chipotle burrito of narrative. Unlike at Chipotle, the juicy elements of this text do not turn the burrito into pulp and cause the spicy, crunchy, and savory ingredients to fall out into a sad pile onto your plate; the whole thing stays intact until the last bite. It’s also the kind of burrito that can be enjoyed both by people with deep knowledge of Mexican food and people who are just trying it for the first time (I mean Shakespeare to be the burrito at this point, I guess).

I wanted to talk about the dual role played by Naomi Watts, because it says so much in so few words about female power. We first meet Watts playing Queen Gertrude, the beautiful and sweet matriarch of the castle and Ophelia’s mother figure. Then Watts sends Ophelia into the woods to pick up her anti-aging potion, and we find that potion is supplied by a bedraggled, antisocial version of Watts hiding out in a cabin in the woods. This Watts is the witch, an outcast from society who is nonetheless needed by even those at the highest levels of power. While Gertrude the queen uses traditional femininity and sexuality to survive and get what she wants, Mechtild the witch uses science and magic that are considered unnatural for a woman to wield. The result is two models of what a powerful woman can be, and Ophelia caught between them.

Ophelia is first instructed by the queen in the ways of femininity, but then learns bits of magic and healing from the witch; in some ways she gets the worst of both worlds due to being used for her sexuality by the men in her life and lacking the skill to take advantage of the witch’s magic. The way she negotiates between these two poles of female power goes farther into her story than a reviewer can tell, but if you’re as hyped up about smart deployment of tropes you should definitely catch Ophelia to see Watts (and Ridley) in action.

Avatar

By Anika Guttormson

Anika Guttormson is a film student studying at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY.

597 comments

  45. Pingback: female sex pain games

  410. viagra para que sirve viczen ibuprofeno 600 mg Of the 1, 456 British adults surveyed, more than half 58 per cent said they were looking to surf the web at speeds nearer to those at home, and over a third 35 wanted their maps applications to load more quickly cialis from usa pharmacy Infertility affects 10 15 of people worldwide

    Reply
  437. Pingback: Can antibiotics be used for traveler's diarrhea stromectol 3mg information?
  438. Pingback: What are men strength generic levitra from india?
  439. Pingback: Neurodegenerative Disorders - Promising Research Avenues fildena online india?
  442. Pingback: Medications and Sports Injuries - Facilitating Rehabilitation ivermectin side effects in dogs?
  443. Pingback: Medications and Arthritis Management - Relieving Joint Pain order Cenforce pills?
  444. Pingback: Can erectile dysfunction be a symptom of adrenal fatigue Cenforce 100?
  445. Pingback: How do they check a man for ED order generic Cenforce 50mg?
  446. Pingback: How are new medications and therapies improving the management of chronic pain conditions buy Cenforce without preion?
  447. Pingback: Medications - The Key to Managing Chronic Migraines albuterol sulfate nebulizer solution?
  448. Pingback: Medications for Hormonal Balance and Women's Health Azithromycin strep throat?
  449. Pingback: What is the potential of stem cell therapy in medical treatments satinex substitute albuterol inhaler?
  450. Pingback: Empowering Patients through Knowledge of Medications cost of vardenafil?
  452. Pingback: Medications and Hearing Health - Preserving Auditory Function buy sildenafil 100mg?
  453. Pingback: Sports Medicine - Keeping Athletes in Peak Condition buy kamagra 100mg oral jelly uk?
  454. Pingback: How do you get urgent antibiotics stromectol 3 mg for scabies?
  455. Pingback: Can I get pregnant before my period cost of levitra at costco?
  456. Pingback: Can erectile dysfunction be a symptom of kidney disease purchase sildenafil?
  457. Pingback: How can I regain erectile strength walgreens viagra cost
  458. Pingback: How much albuterol is too much in a day albuterol dosage
  459. Pingback: How does the FDA collaborate with international regulatory agencies dapoxetine 60 mg sildenafil 100mg
  460. Pingback: How to get a prescription for an inhaler without a doctor ventolin
  461. Pingback: lasix 40mg usa
  462. Pingback: what is vidalista
  463. Pingback: buy viagra online
  464. Pingback: stromectol for lice
  465. Pingback: What makes a guy jealous??
  466. Pingback: What are top 3 challenges in quality assurances??
  467. Pingback: dapoxetine 60 mg amazon - What does a man love most about a woman?
  469. Pingback: albuterol inhaler side effects
  470. Pingback: fildena side effects
  471. Pingback: can i buy priligy over the counter
  472. Pingback: buy now priligy
  473. Pingback: hydroxychloroquine sulfate for lupus
  474. Pingback: fluoxetine hcl
  475. Pingback: lipitor
  476. Pingback: cenforce 150mg
  477. Pingback: metronidazole 200mg/5ml
  478. Pingback: vidalista
  479. Pingback: isotroin price
  480. Pingback: cenforce soft
  482. Pingback: furosemide 20mg
  483. Pingback: dapoxetine
  484. Pingback: cenforce 200 nedir ne için kullanılır
  485. Pingback: amoxil antibiotics
  486. Pingback: priligy or dapoxetine uk buy
  487. Pingback: amoxil antibiotics
  488. Pingback: What are signs of a reaction to antibiotics buy plaquenil?
  489. Pingback: sildenafil without prescription
  490. Pingback: where to buy dapoxetine in canada
  491. Pingback: clomid pct
  492. Pingback: order sildenafil 100mg pills
  493. Pingback: cenforce 25 vs viagra
  494. Pingback: order Generic clomid
  495. Pingback: prednisolone vs methylprednisolone
  496. Pingback: purchase furosemide
  497. Pingback: prednisone side effects in men
  498. Pingback: ivermectin for humans
  499. Pingback: z pack antibiotic pack
  500. Pingback: flagyl generic name
  501. Pingback: vidalista 10
  502. Pingback: cenforce 200
  503. Pingback: cenforce 200 mg price
  504. Pingback: buy online dapoxetine
  505. Pingback: clomid 50mg men
  506. Pingback: clomid tablet 50 mg
  507. Pingback: low amh and clomid
  508. Pingback: clomid uk
  509. Pingback: clomid for sale
  510. Pingback: clomid for women
  511. Pingback: priligy tablets
  512. Pingback: kamagra viagra
  514. Pingback: vidalista
  515. Pingback: vidalista 40 dawkowanie
  517. Pingback: advairhfa
  518. Pingback: generic drug for advair
  519. Pingback: advair for asthma
  520. Pingback: Cenforce 50mg ca
  521. Pingback: purchase Cenforce without prescription
  522. Pingback: order generic Cenforce
  523. Pingback: androgel cost
  524. Pingback: Cenforce 50mg brand
  525. Pingback: Cenforce 25
  526. Pingback: albuterol hfa 90 mcg inhaler
  527. Pingback: purchase sildenafil
  529. Pingback: buy Cenforce 100mg
  530. Pingback: kamagra kaufen
  531. Pingback: clincitop cream use
  532. Pingback: que es Sildenafil
  533. Pingback: vidalista 60 mg for sale
  534. Pingback: vidalista 20 (tadalafil)
  535. Pingback: androgel gel
  536. Pingback: cenforce 200
  537. Pingback: ventolin hfa
  538. Pingback: ventolin hfa for bronchitis
  539. Pingback: proscar for hair loss
  540. Pingback: cenforce soft 100 цена
  541. Pingback: fildena sildenafil
  542. Pingback: order Cenforce 50mg sale
  544. Pingback: iverjohn 12 tablet
  545. Pingback: order kamagra jelly online
  546. Pingback: kamagra 100 chewable tablet

  549. ラブドール 人形 うわー、素晴らしいウェブログ形式！ブログを始めてどのくらいになりますか？また、あなたの本当の愛の人形があなたの人生に彼女を運ぶためにあなたがしなければならなかったことを受け入れるファッションも間違いなく重要です。

    Reply
  550. Pingback: ivermectol
  551. Pingback: scavista 12 mg tablet uses
  552. Pingback: ivermerc
  553. Pingback: stromectol over the counter
  554. Pingback: ivermectin online order
  555. Pingback: t vermact 12 mg
  556. Pingback: levitra generic
  557. Pingback: cialis super active online
  559. Pingback: generic clomid
  560. Pingback: fildena ct
  561. Pingback: Cenforce 100 for sale
  562. Pingback: loniten 2.5 mg for hair loss
  563. Pingback: Sildenafil walmart pharmacy
  564. Pingback: buying kamagra jelly
  565. Pingback: rybelsus equivalent
  566. Pingback: nsw health motilium
  567. Pingback: levitra bayer
  568. Pingback: cenforce soft 100 chewable
  569. Pingback: asthalin inhaler 200 mcg
  570. Pingback: s citadep 5
  571. Pingback: centurion laboratories vidalista
  572. Pingback: malegra oral jelly use
  573. Pingback: Ivcol-6
  574. Pingback: fildena 120mg
  575. Pingback: levitra pill
  576. Pingback: kamagra 100mg oral jelly how to use in hindi
  577. Pingback: how long does a ventolin inhaler last
  579. Pingback: suhagra uses in hindi
  580. Pingback: where can i buy legit priligy pills
  581. Pingback: vidalista vs cialis
  582. Pingback: oral lasix 40mg
  583. Pingback: kamagra 50 mg tablet
  585. Pingback: fildena super active 100 mg

  586. Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying
    to get my website to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very
    good success. If you know of any please share. Cheers!
    You can read similar article here: Wool product

    Reply
  587. Pingback: fertomid in males
  588. Pingback: vidalista 5mg
  590. Pingback: asthalin inhaler how many puffs

  591. sugar defender reviews I’ve had problem with
    blood glucose variations for many years, and it actually affected my energy levels throughout the day.
    Since starting Sugar Defender, I feel more well
    balanced and alert, and I do not experience those
    mid-day slumps anymore! I enjoy that it’s an all-natural service that works with
    no rough side effects. It’s absolutely been a game-changer for
    me

    Reply

  594. Right here is the perfect website for anybody who wants to find out about this topic. You know a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a subject which has been discussed for many years. Great stuff, just wonderful.

    Reply
  595. Pingback: kamagra oral jelly review
  596. Pingback: ciplox d composition

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *