Wednesday, June 23, 2010
interpretation of Hamlet in 2000
What do you expect from a modern adaptation of Hamlet set in New York City in 2000, but which keeps the original language? What themes could Almereyda explore where the other directors were limited by the social/historical context of the original play? What ideas do you have to account for the textual nomenclature (Denmark, king, etc.)? How would the time period in which the film is set affect characterization? Etc. etc.
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I expect a better relatability to the story line, but I'm not sure how much I will like the original language aspect. I don't know what the other questions are asking...so I won't answer them..sorry.
I think that a theme good be indecisiveness, suspicion, mystery. There could be more sex and violence then in previous ones because of the time period. The setting will be a little different, such as a town house for his home, graveyard instead of a crypt...maybe. I don't think there will be titles such as "king" or "queen." They might just be a prominent family in New York and Hamlet and Ophelia are next door neighbors. Ophelia will probably be a close equal to Hamlet but not quite.
I agree with caitlin with the story being more relatable to teenagers today. I think that the time period will affect the characterization in the aspect of a different style of speech, and a different style of manner.
In a more modern version of Hamlet I expect it to be similar to the recent adaption of the Romeo and Juliet with Claire Danes and Leonardo DeCaprio* with its use of the original Shakespearean language. By setting it in the year 2000 in New York York that could change the roles of the main characters because you don't exactly find kings in New York City. So hopefully this will a great adaption of a modern Hamlet.
I expect to feel disorientated, because my eyes will see a modern setting, but my ears will hear Old English speak. I am hoping for creative settings for everything (for example, if the "to be or not to be" scene is in a graveyard, that would be crappy, compared to doing it in, say, a movie theater). I think Almereyda could explore feminisim within the play (though he probably won't), or could explore what true insanity would be for Hamlet. As far as the nomenclature, they could use terms like mayor, CEO of some company, a suburb to rule over, or something like that. The time period could affect people's reactions to idea, the dress, and more.
I think the story may be really cool. But I'm sort of afraid it will end up like the modern version of Romeo and Juliet. I think he can explore multiple themes because he can have a more prominent race and female diversion and strengths within these themes. I think the time period will affect the way they can portray certain people. Like females, different races, and children.
Because of the modern setting, I'm not sure if it will be easier to relate to, or if it will still be as foreign because of the dialogue. I know I did not like the recent version of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" that had a modern setting, but I'm hoping that after seeing the older versions of "Hamlet" that I will enjoy this version.
If this adaptation is anything like the movie "O"" based on Othello, then I am expecting it to be in a word ... trippy; probably messed up too. Almereyda has a wide array of themes he could play on because of the time period. Everything will be modernized and more up to date; something like ... a bunch of anachronisms all wrapped into one movie.
I don't know. I watched the modern interpretation of Romeo and Juliet. I liked that; it made it easier to understand (kinda) and easier to apply to my life. It made the story really stand out to me, and I think it will give the director more freedom when it comes to setting up the show itself. We might be able to better understand the language when it is used in our modern setting.
I think that the movie will be more close to our times. and that will make it easier to understand. But I hope it doesn't make it less of an impact. In the adaptation of A Doll's House the play was made less serious and I didn't like it as much. I hope this movie keeps the same morales and has the same impact.
Honestly I don’t have very high expectations for this movie. After watching the latest Romeo and Juliet, I’m just not thinking this is going to be that great. I do hope, though, that it will exceed my low expectations and blow me out of the water!
I hope that the director of this movie doesn’t focus too much on the indecision of Hamlet. I hope it focuses more on Ophelia and Hamlet’s relationship as well as his wanting to seem nuts.
Well I was thinking about the king being the head guy of the Mafia or something but I guess they went with CEO of the Denmark Corp. which, if you ask me, is pretty lame.
I’m sure instead of a knife to kill himself, he’ll threaten to use a gun. That’s not too original, but it fits with the time period. I hope they incorporate a lot of technology.
I think it will be extremely interesting. I love watching modern interpretations of classic movies, plays, books, etc. I think that the language will still leave a nice touch. I think the director will add more contemporary touches such as technology, modern day weapons, sex, drugs...rock and roll?! Haha. It should be pretty fun. I think the characters will be much more believable in this time period as well. It is more common now to have the belief that no one in society is normal. There really is no such thing as "normal" or "average" anymore.
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