Hamlet (1991, Drama)

Starring: Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Alan Bates, and Helena Bonham Carter. Director: Franco Zeffirelli.

My first experience with this movie was during college when I became overwhelmed with reading different classics. For one weekend, I had homework to read The Iliad, The Oydessey, The Aeneid, and Hamlet. Unfortunately, I had not become used to using those magical Cliff's Notes. Halfway through this miserable, but enlightening weekend, I decided to take my roommate's advice to come watch Mel Gibson performance in this Shakespearean classic. I love Mel Gibson! As far as I'm concerned, he can do any film genre. His brilliance is clear in the scene with his Mother Gertrude, where he is showing her the pictures of her husbands and the scene where he is introducing The Mousetrap. Glenn Close's phenomenal performance as Gertrude is most impressive. Likewise, her partner in crime, Claudius, won Alan Bates much recognition. Still, the unspoken heroine of the movie is Helena Bonham Carter who plays Ophelia. The scene where she goes crazy and starts playing with the flowers is remarkably done by an amazing actress. She should have been nominated for Best Supporting Actress! Great movie! :-)