• A Hawk from a Handsaw Hamlet in Film

     

    Essays3 Art

Evaluation:
Published: 15.05.2003.
Language: English
Level: Secondary school
Literature: n/a
References: Not used
  • Essays 'A Hawk from a Handsaw Hamlet in Film', 1.
  • Essays 'A Hawk from a Handsaw Hamlet in Film', 2.
Extract

The fun is in watching the titular duo spar verbally, the more logical and intellectual Guildenstern (Tim Roth) against the more childlike, easily fascinated Rosencrantz (Gary Oldman). The Players (headed by Richard Dreyfuss) also get vastly more screen time. A wonderful literary romp with scads of memorable quotes--although not an especially good showcase for the actor playing Hamlet.
But, I digress. There is a reason why Hamlet is interpreted anew at every opportunity, and not only in English-speaking countries. Although he is not an everyman, he is a character which we all understand in a situation we would not like to see ourselves. In short, he's an entertaining sod. His story is never boring and it ends with all major (and most minor) characters visiting "the undiscover'd country from whose bourn no traveller returns."
A modern producer would probably call it "Ordinary People meets Reservoir Dogs" and then complain that there's no room for a sequel. ("Can't we do something with that Fortinbras guy?")

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