La tragedia de Macbeth

I'm usually not a huge fan of Shakespeare on screen, but "Macbeth" is my favorite Shakespeare play, so that combined with my curiosity about what Joel Coen would do with the material drew me to see this one. It's really good, and it fully embraces what I like best about the play, its twisted and macabre aesthetic. Coen goes all in on atmosphere, and this has to be one of the most gorgeous looking movies released this year. Rather than try to open up the work for the screen, he instead goes the opposite direction, making this film look purposefully artificial, like it's being performed on the grandest of theater stages.

The acting is superb all around, but it's Kathryn Hunter, playing a variety of characters throughout, including all three witches, who walks away with the movie. I was slightly disappointed with Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth. It's not that she's bad, it's just that this is such a juicy role and I felt like an actress as formidable as McDormand could make something truly memorable out of it, but instead it's a serviceable but uninspired interpretation. If you want a really memorable version of the Lady Macbeth character, take a look at Isuzu Yamada's take on it in Akira Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood." That performance will make your hair stand on end.

One of the things I never like about Shakespeare adaptations is that they always feel so stage bound and insular, no matter how much writers and directors try to make them fit a cinematic medium. "The Tragedy of Macbeth" also feels stage bound and insular, but since Coen decides to film it in a way that enhances its artificiality rather than try to compensate for it, I enjoyed it much more.

Grade: A-

First, Denzel Washington is very good. But all that restraint needs to be let loose at some point, and it isn't. The black and white staging and lighting is more like a throwback to German Expressionism than anything actually new. Frankly the direction, staging, and cinematography detracted from the excellent acting, and the whole thing felt very heavy handed. I wanted it to be great, I really enjoy the play, I enjoy Coen's other movies, but it just did not quite work.

Joel Coen brings a low key Macbeth. It is shot in black and white with minimum staging. There is some clever use of special effects and CGI.

To my mind it bears comparison with Orson Welles inexpensive version.

This is not a low budget version and it boasts heavyweights both behind and in front of the camera. Joel Coen, his wife Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington have 10 Oscars between them.

Denzel Washington as Macbeth starts out as low key before being consumed by his thirst for power as he is approached by the witches. (A contorted performance by Kathryn Hunter.)

To becomes the King of Scotland, he overthrows King Duncan (Brendan Gleeson) with the full support of the scheming Lady Macbeth (Frances McDormand) who likes the idea of becoming Queen.

Macbeth's corruption and paranoia invites revenge from Duncan's heir and Macduff. There is civil war in Scotland.

The text is dense but the film remains accessible. Coen has kept the play stripped down and stagebound.

Lady Macbeth who starts as clever and crafty becomes slowly mad to match her crazed husband.

Hunter shines as the witches. There are good performances from Bertie Carvel as Banquo and Alex Hassell as Ross.

There are a range of accents on offer in the movie, but very few Scottish ones.

BFI London Film Festival The Tragedy Of Macbeth shows that Joel Coen can do it alone without his brother. This film is nothing short of spectacular, some of the greatest cinematography I've probably ever seen, the monochrome adds even more beauty to such a well shot film too, I could compare the cinematography to some of the greats of cinema like Bergman. Denzel Washington kills his role as Macbeth, showing how diverse his acting skills can go, he's almost a completely different person, I would have never imagined him doing old English speech, but we go it, and he doesn't mess it up at all, his emotions shot in the 4:3 aspect ratio is tremendous, once again leaving the cinema wanting every film to be shot in it.

Greetings again from the darkness. The confounding part about screen adaptions of great and familiar literary works is that we have each already formed our mental images of characters and setting. Adapting Shakespeare's 400 year old play is Joel Coen (4 time Oscar winner, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN), and it's also his first time to fly solo as director without his brother Ethan. Filmed in black and white on a sound stage, this production may lack the frills we've come to expect in modern times, yet while its stark sets recall German Expressionism, the film still manage to deliver memorable visuals.

Denzel Washington (2 time Oscar winner, TRAINING DAY, GLORY) stars as Macbeth, while Mr. Coen's wife, Frances McDormand (4 time Oscar winner, NOMADLAND) is a perfect fit as the scheming Lady Macbeth. The absolute best and creepiest sequences are thanks to terrific work from stage actor Kathryn Hunter, who plays not one witch, but rather the trio (plus, in true Shakespearian fashion, a fourth character later). Ms. Hunter's work is a highlight as she contorts her body and rings out prophecy with an exceedingly disturbing voice. She is fantastic. It's the witches' prophecy that Macbeth will become King of Scotland that sets into action a chain of events familiar to most of us.

The reasons this didn't work as well for me as it did for others include Denzel's extremely low-key performance in the first half, and more crucially, the film lacks that unbridled lust for power that so attracts me to this particular story. It struck me more as a story of a disgruntled couple than the timeless themes of corruption and lust for power that Shakespeare so expertly crafted. Denzel's performance does come alive in the second half and he's quite something to watch. However, it's Ms. McDormand who nails the Lady Macbeth role and ensures our attention doesn't drift. Although obvious, it must be noted that these two renowned actors are a bit old for the roles, but interesting enough, this elements adds a different perspective to the characters' ambitions.

Supporting performances include Brendan Gleeson (is he ever not a standout?) as the ill-fated King Duncan, and Harry Melling as Malcolm and Matt Helm as Donalbain, Duncan's two sons. Corey Hawkins plays Macduff, Bertie Carvel is Banquo, and Stephen Root is the scene-stealing (and comic relief) Porter. Cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel treats us to some creative shots and angles ... and plenty of birds. But of course, it's Denzel and McDormand who will make or break this for you.

Director Coen does include the familiar lines: "Something wicked this way comes" inspired writer Ray Bradbury, Lady Macbeth's "out, damned spot" still packs a punch, while Macbeth's "a tale full of sound and fury, signifying nothing" remains my personal favorite. With the stark sets, Coen serves up a shadowy presentation - or is it a presentation of shadows? It's a blend of stage and screen, yet never fully both. Despite some of my displeasures and the long-lasting curse, overall it's a welcome version of "the Scottish play" ... although I still prefer reading The Bard's prose.

Opening in theaters on December 25, 2021 and streaming on AppleTV+ on January 14, 2022.