Unlocking 'Hamnet's' Emotional Power: Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal Open Up

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{ "title": "Unlocking 'Hamnet's' Emotional Power: Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal Open Up", "article": "Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal's chemistry on screen is undeniable, but it's what they brought to their roles as Agnes and William Shakespeare in 'Hamnet' that has left audiences in awe. The film, directed by Chloé Zhao, is a fictionalized account of the Shakespeares' lives, centered around the death of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet, and the possible connection it had to the creation of 'Hamlet.' In an emotional conversation, Buckley and Mescal revealed the depth of their performances were rooted in their own experiences as artists. They used their own grief and struggles to connect with their characters, who are misunderstood near-outcasts in 16th-century England. Buckley's Agnes is branded a 'forest witch,' while William is dismissed as a 'pasty-faced scholar.' Zhao's approach to the film was to challenge the actors to tap into their own humanity, rather than just playing masks. This led to a raw, earthy, and soulful performance from Buckley and Mescal, which has been hailed as one of the best of the year. The chemistry read between Buckley and Mescal was a turning point in the film's production. Zhao staged a read to see if they would work well together, but it was more than just a test. The two actors had an instant connection, and it showed in their scenes together. The film's emotional crescendo comes in a powerful performance of 'Hamlet' at the Globe, where Buckley and Mescal's characters are surrounded by hundreds of extras. The scene is a testament to the film's ability to transcend time and space, and to the power of storytelling. Buckley and Mescal's performances have already generated Oscar buzz, and they have expressed their desire to work together again. The experience of making 'Hamnet' has left a lasting impact on both actors, and they have credited Zhao's approach to the film for allowing them to tap into their own humanity. As Buckley said, 'Why we go to the cinema, why we go to the theater, why we tell stories is for these places to contain the parts of ourselves that are too hard to hold by ourselves.' The film's ability to capture the complexities of human emotion and to transcend the boundaries of time and space is a testament to the power of storytelling."