“Elsinore” premieres at the Telluride Film Festival, with Andrew Scott starring as British actor Ian Charleson, whose final stage role is playing Hamlet while terminally ill with AIDS. Multiple reviews describe the film as centered on Charleson’s determination to make his last months meaningful through art, and on the emotional cost of that choice.
The outlets largely agree on the core cast and setting: Simon Stone directs a drama set in late-1980s London, featuring Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, and Johnny Flynn. Reviews also focus on Charleson’s career context, including his acclaim for roles in “Chariots of Fire” and “Gandhi,” and how “Hamlet” at London’s National Theatre becomes his last major commitment. The Guardian and Variety emphasize the resonance of Scott’s performance and the poignancy of the Hamlet production near Charleson’s death in 1990.
Where they differ is mainly in assessment of the film’s execution. Deadline and Variety highlight Scott’s breakthrough-level portrayal, while IndieWire is more critical, suggesting the movie’s script and awards positioning fall into familiar territory and can limit the impact around Scott’s performance.
