There are just some actors who just shouldn't potray the lead role in one of the world's best loved plays. Ethan Hawke is one of them. I've been exhaustively studying the play Hamlet for years and never have I come across an adaptation so poorly done. The movie lacked in emotion and sincerity...it sounded more like some bland read-through of a scipt during rehearsal time. Perhaps the best portrayal done was by Julia Stiles in the role of Ophelia, but even that was not at it's best. This is a movie that would make true Hamlet fans cringe.