Art Relies on the Audience: Paul Mescal Discusses Hamnet

      Robert Kojder engages in a conversation with Hamnet star Paul Mescal…

      At this point, if Paul Mescal appears in a film, it's wise to bring tissues to the theater. There's no avoiding the emotional impact; viewers will likely shed tears. In fact, Hamnet, where he portrays a grieving William Shakespeare who channels his sorrow into writing Hamlet, may be the most heart-wrenching in a series of films that include other emotional heavyweights like Aftersun and All of Us Strangers. The film also explores the power of art to promote healing.

      Sharing the screen with the remarkable Jessie Buckley, who plays Shakespeare’s partner, Agnes, Hamnet is undoubtedly profoundly sad, but it also carries a sense of hope and, as noted, a theme of healing. It is no surprise that Paul Mescal excels once again in portraying such a troubled character.

      Ahead of the release of Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet and its journey towards award considerations, Paul Mescal participated in a virtual roundtable with several journalists, answering one question from each of us. Given the limited time, I opted against a deep discussion about the film and instead asked a question that, while challenging (he appeared to appreciate it and needed a moment to think), was also enjoyable and connected to the film's main themes. Enjoy the short interview below:

      Nice to meet you.

      You too!

      I admire your work. This film heavily emphasizes grief and the healing power of art. Can you share an experience when art similarly aided your healing or helped you process something in your life?

      Oooohh! [He ponders for about 10 seconds] I recall going through a breakup and rewatching Blue Valentine. It wasn't my first viewing; I was revisiting it and thought… oh, this feels like a different movie. Do you know that feeling when you watch a film again from a new perspective in your life and it seems like a completely fresh experience?

      Absolutely!

      That was the first time I realized that art is actually influenced by the viewer's life situation. We might watch the same movie, and one of us could be deeply moved while the other could find it quite dull. That’s not necessarily on the filmmakers but rather on the audience. Sure, you can create a film that’s universally uninteresting, but I learned during my rewatch of Blue Valentine that my entry point into the film had changed completely, and it resonated with me in a vastly different way.

      I love it! Blue Valentine is an amazing film, and Hamnet is also fantastic. Thank you for your time.

      Thank you!

      Hamnet is scheduled for release in the US on November 26th.