Ophelia comes of age as lady-in-waiting for Queen Gertrude, and her singular spirit captures Hamlet's affections. As lust and betrayal threaten the kingdom, Ophelia finds herself trapped between true love and controlling her own destiny.
Ophelia was fine by way of entertainment, but it doesn't do justice to the intricacies of the original story. It doesn't portray Hamlets quick-witted nature, Poloniuss shit-stirring, or Claudiuss grappling with guilt. It's incredible in all elements of filmmaking, but lacks the true heart and layers of Shakespeare's work.
Read Lily's full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-ophelia-shakespeares-hamlet-with-a-modern-twist
Now I have to start by saying that this is not a good film, but - it does try to introduce Shakespeare to a new audience who would not have seen, nor would sit through, Olivier, Branagh or McKellan in full tilt with the skull of poor old "Yorick", and for that goal alone, it ought to be given a chance. This version is told from the perspective of "Ophelia" (Daisy Ridley) following her exploits as she in taken under the wing of "Queen Gertude" (Naomi Watts) and of her ensuing passion for "Hamlet" (George MacKay) who has been usurped for his dead father's throne by his uncle "Claudius" (Clive Owen). The story has been very heavily adapted to facilitate the new narrative perspective and as such it loses a great deal of it's potency and nuance ...