The new version of Hamlet starring Benedict Cumberbatch, which is a filmed version of a live play performed recently in London, was far from what I expected. There were certain aspects that I definitely enjoyed, such as the elegant prose and the artful stage set, but there were other aspects that I was not overly fond of.

Sticking to the original lines and plot, the play seemed to suggest a traditional reenactment. However, perhaps for the purpose of appearing to be timeless, the characters were dressed in an array of seemingly random clothes from different time periods. The props, too, from guns to cameras to electric lights, betrayed the traditional setting. While some in the audience enjoyed this artistic bravery, I found it distasteful and distracting. It was outright strange to see Benedict Cumberbatch dressed in golden sneakers, a band T-shirt, a gaudy coat, and mis-matched pants while eloquently delivering Elizabethan lines with utmost formality and expressiveness. The inconsistency seemed to undermine the authenticity and the feel that should accompany a classic. There are many ways to bring new life to an age-old story that in themselves remind us that certain themes are as relevant today as they have ever been, but I think that jumbling time periods as was done in this rendering of the play was not a wise choice, and will perhaps render Cumberbatch’s interpretation obsolete very quickly.

In other ways the play was excellent, such as the way it was choreographed. The transition scenes, particularly, were visually appealing and were accompanied by great music that was very dramatic. The use of the stage was impressive, as it created an illusion of depth and dynamic complexity that changed from scene to scene. At one part, the stage seemed to stretch back endlessly, as Ophelia resolutely marched to her suicide. The use of lightning, too, made a huge impact in the way emotions were conveyed and particular characters were brought to prominence. There were certain scenes where Hamlet would begin a soliloquy and all would fade into the shadows except for him, to bring full attention to his thoughts. Meanwhile, in the background, the actor would continue to move in slow motion so that when the full lightning returned, there was a seamless transition into the next scene.

Watching Hamlet was certainly an interesting experience. The play succeeded in making itself very understandable despite the complex language. It was also ambitious in its attempt to appeal to the people of today. Though long (probably the only movie I’ve ever watched that had an intermission), the story was intriguing and was well-acted.