The former Broadway star in the film is named Hutch, played by Burt Reynolds in his final role before passing away in 2018. Hutch's career was cut short by Alzheimer's disease, and he finds himself struggling to remember even the simplest things. His granddaughter Tatum, played by Emma Rayne Lyle, offers to take him in and care for him in her small town in the South.
Tatum and Liv, played by Violet Hicks, are the only ones in town who don't immediately write off Hutch as a crazy old man. Liv is especially drawn to her great-grandfather and his stories of his past career on Broadway. When Tatum finds out that the local theater is set to be demolished, she decides to organize a production of Hamlet to raise money and save the theater.
Hutch agrees to take on the role of the Ghost in the play, despite his failing memory and physical health. As they rehearse, Hutch struggles to remember his lines and his past, but finds comfort in the connection he is making with Liv and Tatum. Through their support, Hutch is able to deliver a powerful and emotional performance in the play's final scene.
Hamlet & Hutch is a heartwarming film about the power of family and community in the face of difficult circumstances, and a reminder that even those suffering from Alzheimer's disease are still capable of making meaningful connections and contributions to the world around them.
