Pop Culture Happy Hour — "Hamnet" (Dec 1, 2025)
Podcast: Pop Culture Happy Hour (NPR)
Host(s): Stephen Thompson, Aisha Harris
Guest: Bob Mondello
Episode Theme: Panel discussion and review of new film "Hamnet," adapted from Maggie O’Farrell's novel, exploring love, grief, and artistry in the shadow of Shakespeare's family tragedy.
Episode Overview
This episode dives into "Hamnet," the new film adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel. The panel explores the emotional depth, performances, and artistic choices of director Chloe Zhao, unpacking the film’s heartbreak, historical context, and the creative reinterpretation of William Shakespeare's family life. The responses range from deeply moved to unimpressed, sparking thoughtful discussion about subjectivity in experiencing art.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Setup: "Hamnet" as a Work of Grief and Artistry
- Plot Focus: The film follows Agnes (more commonly known as Anne Hathaway), played by Jessie Buckley, her marriage to William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), their domestic life, and devastation after the loss of their son, Hamnet. Shakespeare’s creative process and the genesis of "Hamlet" are woven into the narrative.
- Adaptation Notes: The film is based on O’Farrell’s novel, screenplay by O’Farrell and director Chloe Zhao.
2. Initial Reactions: Polarized Emotional Impact
- Bob Mondello’s Deep Reaction ([05:21]):
“I fell apart. I really fell apart… I was sobbing so hard that the woman sitting next to me grabbed my arm to see if I was okay. I just lost it. And I acknowledged that I was being manipulated… it just worked for me. This is a movie that is designed for me.”
- Bob relates his response to personal grief, finding the film’s exploration of loss effective and moving.
- Aisha Harris’ Contrasting Coldness ([06:33]):
“I left this feeling cold. I left this feeling unmoved… everyone in my theater… you could hear the sobs… and there is me, the cold, icy hearted, not into this person.”
- Aisha struggles to connect emotionally, despite the film’s intention and broad audience resonance.
- Stephen Thompson’s Middle Ground ([07:53]):
“I cried five times… I really liked this film, the performances at its center… Jessie Buckley… is just transcendent.”
- Stephen acknowledges both the manipulative craft and his own susceptibility, especially as a parent.
3. The Performances: Jessie Buckley vs. Paul Mescal
- Paul Mescal’s Acting Debated ([07:04 & 10:06]):
- Aisha:
“One of my biggest issues with this film is Paul Mescal's performance… he just kind of sappy and soggy…”
- Bob:
“He needs to be for the plot to work… this is about Jessie Buckley's character not recognizing that her husband is also grieving…”
- The panel discusses whether Mescal’s subdued presence is a flaw or a deliberate, necessary aspect of the story.
- Aisha:
- Jessie Buckley Praised ([08:19]):
- Stephen:
“Jessie Buckley… is just transcendent. I think she's a magnificent actor. She gets a lot to chew on here.”
- Stephen:
4. Zhao’s Direction and "Manipulation"
- Is it Manipulative, and Does That Work? ([09:25 & 12:56]):
- Aisha:
“Sometimes you see the strings more, and I think here you see the strings so much… it also just felt like a very familiar story to me…”
- Bob:
“Jessie Buckley, her character is so consumed by what she's feeling… to have two people on screen who are doing that would drive you nuts. I think it's by design. The thing that is bothering you about it is by design.”
- Discussion revolves around whether Zhao’s overt emotional engineering undermines or serves the narrative.
- Aisha:
5. Historical Context, Setting, and Craft
- Evocation of 17th Century Life ([17:09 & 17:24]):
- Stephen:
“Any movie that’s set... around 1600... that really shows you how grubby and miserable life must have been.”
- Aisha:
“Most of these movies… make me realize I’m so lucky to have been born in these times…”
- The panel admires the film’s attention to historical detail, set design, and immersive atmosphere.
- Stephen:
- Subtle Literary Touches ([15:19]):
- Bob:
“There’s a crawl at the beginning… that Hamnet and Hamlet are the same name…”
- The film’s nuanced treatment of names and language, and how this plays with expectations about biopics about Shakespeare.
- Bob:
6. Thematic Parallels and Broader Context
- Art as a Response to Grief ([09:10]):
- Stephen:
“I was sort of fascinated by the way this film is in conversation with another awards season favorite, Sentimental Value… using art as a means of escape.”
- The conversation connects "Hamnet" to other contemporary works about translating personal pain into artistic expression.
- Stephen:
- Comparisons to Zhao’s Previous Films ([13:13]):
- Aisha:
“Songs My Brothers Taught Me is just way better at feeling… just something more naturalistic about it…”
- Both Aisha and Bob reference how Zhao’s style translates across different projects, with mixed results.
- Aisha:
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Bob Mondello’s Vulnerability ([05:21]):
“I was sobbing so hard that the woman sitting next to me grabbed my arm to see if I was okay.”
- Aisha Harris’ Honesty ([06:33]):
“There were a whole bunch of Bob Mondellos there… and there is me, the cold, icy hearted, not into this person.”
- Stephen’s ‘Crying Scorecard’ ([07:53]):
“I cried five times.”
- Theatricality & History ([15:25]):
“They pronounce Agnes as Agnes. So Agnes and Anne are also very close. They’re making it clear that certain things worked differently when pronunciation was not set in stone…” (Bob Mondello)
- Daily Life Realism ([17:24]):
“I did find myself constantly admiring the craft… the construction of the houses… making you not want to live there.” (Stephen Thompson)
Timestamps of Key Segments
- [04:21] — Film summary & setup by Stephen; Bob Mondello’s background and initial reaction
- [05:21] — Bob Mondello’s emotional response and theater critic’s lens
- [06:33] — Aisha Harris describes her lack of reaction
- [07:53] — Stephen Thompson’s balanced response, acting discussion begins
- [10:06] — Aisha’s critique of Paul Mescal’s performance
- [11:04] — Bob defends Mescal’s characterization as intentional
- [13:13] — Aisha compares Zhao’s approach to her prior films
- [15:19] — Discussion of literary and historical accuracy
- [17:09] — Observations on historical atmosphere and set design
- [18:08] — Closing thoughts, encouragement for audience feedback
Conclusion
The PCHH team delivers a lively, contrasting review of "Hamnet." Bob Mondello finds it staggeringly moving, Stephen Thompson admires its artistry while maintaining emotional restraint, and Aisha Harris is left mildly disappointed, especially by Paul Mescal’s performance and familiar narrative beats. The episode is rich in wit, candor, and deep dives into adaptation, performance, and the subjective power of storytelling, ultimately providing listeners a vivid sense of what to expect from "Hamnet"—and from themselves as viewers.