Jeri
Jacquin
Coming to
theatres this Friday from director Claire McCarthy and IFC Films comes her life
from a different point of view with OPHELIA.
Ophelia
(Daisy Ridley) is a young spirited girl who is being raised by father Polonius
(Dominic Mafham) and devoted to brother Laertes (Tom Felton). Not exactly
lady-like as most women in court, it is Queen Gertrude (Naomi Watts) who
embraces the motherless girl.
Hamlet
(George MacKay) also has an eye for Ophelia but knows they can't be together.
Feeling she is not a beautiful as other women in the court, Ophelia is often
taunted by lady-in-waiting Cristiana (Daisy Head).
While
away with friend Horatio (Devon Terrell), Hamlet learns that his father has
died. Before he arrives, Uncle Claudius (Clive Owen) has not only taken the
throne but married Gertrude.
Hamlet
rekindles his feelings for Ophelia but they both know that something isn't
right in court. There are secrets, plots, ghosts, potions and when Hamlet makes
a fatal error, the young couple has no choice but to call out those
responsible.
Their
love carries the highest price of all!
Ridley as
Ophelia takes this iconic character of tragedy and dives deep into another
perspective of the happenings in court. Keenly aware that she isn't high-born,
this telling of Ophelia gives her survival instincts and the ability know when
to speak and when to stay silent. Ridley embraces it all and gives a stellar
performance that, frankly, blew me away.
Owen as
Claudius has the opportunity to be cruel, ruthless and a plotting fiend. Not
that Owen hasn't had the opportunity to have those traits in other roles, just
not all at the same time so perfectly. Claudius clearly has one goal - castle
domination.
MacKay as
Hamlet is taken with Ophelia and he would do anything to protect her, even
leave the castle. Returning under circumstances that are entirely questionable,
he decides to take control of his fate and love for Ophelia. Claudius keeps his
eye on Hamlet and one tragic effect gives the twisted king an opportunity to
tighten his grip on the throne. MacKay gives Hamlet such heart and a man with a
plan.
Felton as
Laertes is a devoted brother who wants the best for his sister but at the same
time wants to get as far away as possible from the castle and the mayhem inside
it. Felton takes more steps away from the wizarding world and shows his
scientific chops in this role.
Head as
Cristiana is the lady-in-waiting that is the weight around Ophelia's neck.
Terrell as Horatio is Hamlet's friend and his main role is to keep the prince
out of trouble and making sure Ophelia knows his true heart.
Other
cast include: Sebastian De Souza as Edmund, Martin Angerbauer as Guildenstern,
Noel Czuczor as Rosencrantz, Rupesh Tillu as Yorick, Angela Nwagbo as Viola,
Anna Rust as Young Mechtild, Jack Cunningham-Nuttall as Young Hamlet and Mia
Quiney as Young Ophelia.
Director
McCarthy takes from the adaptation by Semi Chellas. This producer and writer is
also known for The Romanoff’s, Mad Men and American Woman.
This
telling of young Ophelia stays on target to what she sees, hears, experiences
and brings that all together in this film. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, she has her
part to play but in truth the story isn't about her, only the effects of what
happened to her. OPHELIA is intelligent, lovely and cinematically ethereal.
Ridley
and MacKay play the star crossed lovers in a very sweet way but are both being
torn in directions that keep moving them closer together emotionally but
farther apart physically. They both know who is responsible but each can only
do their part from their stations in life. This story of Ophelia is smart and
still staying with the twists and turns of the Shakespeare tale.
In the
end - experience Hamlet through her eyes!
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