Was Shakespeare ever really in love? Considering how fractured our knowledge of William Shakespeare is, we certainly seem enamored with his romantic life. This year, I’d be shocked if Jessie Buckley didn’t become yet another actress to win an Oscar for their fictional romance with Shakespeare. The difference between this and the Best picture winning Shakespeare In love is that this film is not a comedy. Not in the slightest.

Releasing at thanksgiving is a bold move for a film that is not really a warm and inviting experience. this is a film where tissues will clog cupholders, and people stumble out looking like they just received a terrible medical diagnosis. I’m not sure there is a sadder Best Picture contender this year. not for lack of trying, because there certainly are some films with heavy subject material, but Hamnet is never really anything but morose. it is aggressively mournful, and crafted to elevate Buckley to an Oscar.

Buckley plays Agnes, who is “of the woods”, and falls in love with a Latin tutor named Will (Paul Mescal). They have sex pretty fast, getting married, and having their first kid. Their family continues to grow, as Will becomes increasingly unsatisfied with his location, and needing to be somewhere he could create art. So, while Agnes is pregnant, but with her blessing, he relocates to begin his life as a playwright. Agnes stays home and prepares herself for what’s to come.

I’m not big into spoilers, but in case you feel like dragging a friend or family member who has lost a child, this one is not something you should surprise them with. Let them make the choice for themselves after learning more about the film, because Jessie Buckley is thrown under the emotional tank that plows right over her. Her next childbirth isn’t easy, and she becomes a parent who experiences loss.

The title of the film is for Will and Agnes’s son Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe), part of a set of twins the pair has. He’s adorable, empathetic, and is going to rip your soul from your chest and return it to you in little tiny pieces. the Jupe kids have been doing great work, and his older brother Noah also appears as an actor playing Hamlet in the eventual production Shakespeare is inspired to put on.

Jessie Buckley is astounding. She’s so easily, far and away, one of the best performances of the year. She brings so much raw strength, and later allows that facade to be broken down when the worst fears are realized. Paul Mescal does a nice job supporting her, and has a few moments of grief where he’s working on a play, and recent events have clearly not been fully dealt with.

The supporting cast has an adorable Jacobi Jupe, a capable Noah Jupe, a steady Emily Watson, and a reliable Joe Alwyn. All the actors are supported by a lovely score.Chloe Zhao does a loving and responsible job helming the film. it’s her best work so far, and that’s saying a lot for a director who has a Best Director Oscar and made a Best Picture winner. i liked Nomadland, but there wasn’t enough there to get me to believe it was the right pick. Hamnet takes a simple story, a basic concept, and plugs in this massive emotional anchor that reverberates the whole time, even before it becomes a thing.

this is a sure thing in Actress, a very likely nominee in Picture, Supporting Actor, Costume Design, and a probable nominee for Director, Adapted Screenplay, and maybe one more technical achievement.

As the kids say, Jessie Buckley is “the Moment”. To see or not to see? this is a must-watch, destined to leave you breathless.

Fresh: Final grade: 8.8/10