To be, or not to be, that is the question. It’s also the opening line of Hamlet’s soliloquy, Act 3, Scene 1, as written by a certain William Shakespeare in his play Hamlet.

It’s a line well known, by many around the planet, as Shakespeare is widely regarded as the most studied and performed playwright in the world.

But despite his recognition, there’s very little known about his private life, with what is known patched together mostly from legal and business documents.

This then is an account of Shakespeare the family man.

Whilst tutoring some children of a family, a young man by the name of Will (Paul Mescal), spots a woman coming out of the woods towards them, with a hawk. Transfixed by her, he goes downstairs and approaches her.

Her name is Agnes (Jessie Buckley), and he is instantly bewitched by her, to the point he can’t think of anything else. They quickly become a couple, and quickly consummate their relationship, much to the annoyance of their families.

Love seems strong enough to handle anything, but when Bill leaves for London to pursue his career as a playwright, Agnes is forced to look after their family alone, during a difficult time with the outbreak of a plague looming.

Although this film features facts, that were documented, it’s based on the 2020 historical fiction novel of the same name, written by Maggie O’Farrell, who also co-wrote the script.

It’s Chloé Zhao’s first film after her poorly received Marvel film Eternals, and she’s bounced back with confidence.

It is, as you would expect from the Chinese director, well crafted, featuring some strong performances, which won Buckley an Oscar for her efforts. The young cast deserve a mention, particularly Jacobi Jupe, who follows up his big screen debut in Disney’s 2023 Peter Pan and Wendy, with a truly touching role as the titular character.

But as picturesque as the world they live in is, The film’s pacing is decidedly pedestrian; the film’s narrative plods, as does character development, and takes what feels like an age – Elizabethan or otherwise.

Thankfully it’s finale is worth hanging around for, beautifully moving and tender, that taps into the emotional core of Shakespeare the playwright and Shakespeare the family man.