6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Set in medieval Denmark and spoken in a modern tongue with a poetic twist, "Ophelia" re-calibrates the classic Shakespearean tragedy of "Hamlet" so that its unspoken, complex heroine may share her own story. As a rebellious and motherless child, Ophelia is taken into Elsinore Castle by Queen Gertrude as one of her most trusted ladies-in-waiting. Soon enough, Ophelia captures the affections of the young Prince Hamlet. A passionate romance kindles between the two in secret as the kingdom is on the brink of war amidst its own political intrigue and betrayal. When Hamlet’s father is murdered and the prince’s wits begin to unravel into an insatiable quest for vengeance, Ophelia sharply navigates the rules of power in Denmark all while struggling to choose between her true love and her own life.
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Naomi Watts, Tom Felton, Clive Owen, George MacKayPeriod | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Romance | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
“Hamlet” is a 400-year-old play that’s been interpreted in many ways, with some taking great liberties with the source material, working to reconsider writer William Shakespeare’s original text and find ways to reach a different audience. That’s the thinking behind “Ophelia,” which revisits the events of “Hamlet,” only here a key supporting part into turned into the lead role, with Ophelia’s perspective intended to refocus concern on the female characters. It’s not exactly a daring undertaking, but the screenplay by Semi Chellas is trying to do something very specific, keeping things involving by altering Shakespeare’s plotting and sense of power in Elsinore Castle. “Ophelia” isn’t the most dynamic feature to be made with the concept, but director Claire McCarthy isn’t in this for the pace. She wants to make a beautiful picture about a misunderstood young woman, and with those goals in mind, the effort is satisfactory.
The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation secures the period ornamentation of the feature, finding textures on heavy costuming and castle decoration. Clarity is reasonably strong throughout, securing distances and close-ups, with facial surfaces intact, displaying the deterioration of personal health. Colors are inviting, achieving power with summery golds and greenery, and clothing retains punchier hues, exploring brighter fabrics. Skintones are natural. Delineation has a few issues, finding some darker scenes solidifying. Compression issues increase with underwater stylistics, but this is a rare occurrence.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix preserves the emotional intensity of "Ophelia," supplying clean dialogue exchanges, clarifying performances from all skill levels. Scoring is defined to satisfaction, supporting as intended, but occasional soundtrack selections offer a larger presence, which is welcome. Atmospherics are inviting with castle echo, community bustle, and outdoor experiences, and supernatural elements carry some surround activity. Low- end has weight but isn't worked out in full. Sound effects are sharp, detailing the clanging of steel swords.
Pace is a tad slack in "Ophelia," and the addition of Mechtild isn't as profound as Chellas imagines, finding the witch the most obvious push for female representation in the feature, replacing Hamlet's war at home with the forest concerns of a rejected and humiliated female. The subplot doesn't work, but the picture doesn't crumble, embracing a more defiant and clever Ophelia (a woman in "no need of saving"), reworking her descent into insanity as a defense mechanism, not a display of weakness. Such ideas are compelling, and Ridley does well in the part, making the most of reactions while her co-stars enjoy more verbal scenes. "Ophelia" certainly isn't peppy, often dragging to a full stop on a few occasions, but it has an idea worth investigating, endeavoring to approach "Hamlet" with concern for others involved in the Melancholy Dane's downfall.
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