Ian McKellen has admitted that he is not a fan of the film, Hamnet.
The movie, which stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, focuses on the grief of legendary playwright, William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes, and how they grieve for their son, who died aged 11. It looks at the experiences and how they inspired him to write the play, Hamlet.
Directed by Chloe Zhao, Hamnet is one of the leading movies at this year's Oscars ceremony, including nods for Best Director, Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Costume Design, Casting, Production Design, Original Score, as well as a Best Actress nomination for Jessie Buckley.
However, Hamnet is one movie which has not quite gone down well with legendary actor, Ian McKellen, who admitted as much in a recent interview with The Times.
“I don’t quite get it,” he said. “I’m not very interested in trying to work out where Shakespeare’s imagination came from, but it certainly didn’t just come from family life".
One thing which McKellen found particularly annoying about Hamnet, was the “idea” that Shakespeare’s wife “Anne Hathaway had never seen a play before”.
“It’s improbable, considering what her husband did for a living,” he continued. “And she doesn’t seem to know what a play is! I think there are a few doubts of probability".
Despite these gaps in the plot, Ian McKellen still feels Hamnet will do well at the upcoming awards ceremonies due to its subject matter. He also recalled how similar movies about Shakespeare have faired well, despite what he feels are unrealistic aspects.
“As Hamnet races towards the finishing line as far as Oscars are concerned, it’s likely to repeat the success of Shakespeare in Love, which had odd views as to how plays get put on,” he added. “But then Shakespeare was perhaps the most famous person who ever lived, so of course there is some interest in what he looked like, what his relationship with his family was".
Along with the Academy Awards, Hamnet has also earned 11 nominations for this year's BAFTA Awards ceremony, which takes place on Sunday (February 22). The film was nominated for Best Film, Best Director and Outstanding British Film. More on this story here.
