The Tragedy of Macbeth (2022)
The Tragedy of Macbeth
- 4/5 Cameras 🎥🎥🎥🎥
- Directed by: Joel Coen
- Starring: Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand
- Where to find it: In Select Cinemas and Apple TV +
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The story of Macbeth is one most people are familiar with in
one way or another. Whether you’re a Shakespeare fanatic or simply only studied
the play at school, you’ll most likely be aware of the tragic (pardon the pun)
tale. With a story this famous it should come as no surprise that it’s been
subject to countless adaptations throughout the years, and you’d be forgiven
for not seeing the need for another. However, Joel Coen’s ability to create
visually striking imagery, coupled with stellar performances by Denzel
Washington and Frances McDormand makes for a truly unforgettable viewing
experience.
Directed by Joel Coen, in his solo directorial debut, The Tragedy
of Macbeth tells the story of our titular character (Denzel Washington), a
Scottish Lord who gradually descends into madness after a group of witches (all
played by Kathryn Hunter) prophesise that he will soon become King of Scotland,
with his ambitious wife (Frances McDormand) supporting him in his plans to
seize power.
From its’ very first shot, it’s clear that The Tragedy of
Macbeth is different from anything else that’s been released in recent years.
Shot on individual sound stages and in black and white, the cinematography in Joel
Coen’s take on the classic Shakespearean story is awe-inspiring, with every shot
being worthy of its own frame in a museum. So breath-taking is the imagery in
this film that words don’t go far enough to do it justice. The directorial decision
to shoot the film on sound stages gives it a sense of being almost untethered
from reality, creating a unique feel of a mix between a piece of cinema and a
theatrical play. The minimalistic style of the set design also works in The
Tragedy of Macbeth’s favour, creating a film that is simple, yet effective and
leaves you unable to peel your eyes away from the screen.
The Tragedy of Macbeth’s impressive nature doesn’t end with its
spectacular cinematography, however, as the film boasts two of Hollywood’s most
well-respected leads. As expected, Denzel Washington commands every scene he is in
as the film’s titular character Macbeth, a role that seems he was born to play,
once again proving why he is considered to be one of the greatest actors of all
time. Frances McDormand proves a worthy partner as the ever-ambitious but
highly unstable Lady Macbeth, although, given the powerhouse that McDormand is,
there was never any doubt that she would be anything less than perfect in this
role. However, the standout performance in The Tragedy of Macbeth is given by
Kathryn Hunter in her role as the three Witches. Hunter’s performance is so captivating
and haunting that every time she graces the screen the film’s tone shifts into
that of a nightmarish horror that you can’t look away from. Denzel Washington
may deserve an Oscar for his role in The Tragedy of Macbeth, but it’ll be a
real disappointment if Kathryn Hunter doesn’t get the recognition she so
desperately deserves.
I must admit, I’m not the biggest fan of Shakespeare, and as
such wasn’t expecting the enjoy The Tragedy of Macbeth as much as I did. Perhaps
if this was the version I had watched when I was studying the play, I would
have appreciated it a lot more. 2022 stands to be a packed year in the world of
cinema, but the new releases of the year have a lot to live up to after the extremely
high precedent set by The Tragedy of Macbeth.
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