"The Tragedy of Macbeth" begins with Macbeth (Denzel Washington) and Banquo (Bertie Carvel) meeting three witches (Kathryn Hunter) on the battlefield. The trio have a prophecy for the two. Macbeth will soon be promoted from Thane of Glamis to Cawdor and will eventually become King. Banquo, on the other hand, will soon father a line of kings.
Macbeth was initially skeptical of the witches' claims, as the Thane of Cawdor is currently healthy and strong. But it surprises him to find out that King Duncan orders Ross (Alex Hassell) to behead the Thane of Cawdor for treason and reinvest the title in Macbeth. Bringing the first prophecy to fruition.
Macbeth immediately informs his wife, Lady Macbeth (Frances McDormand), of the prophecy, which prompts her to come up with a plan to assassinate King Duncan (Brendan Gleeson). She tells Macbeth everything about her murderous scheme, which Macbeth follows through on after hesitating at first.
Now that the king is dead, it is time for Macbeth to fulfill the second prophecy. However, there are still certain people who stand in his way, including the King's sons, Malcolm (Harry Melling) and Donalbain (Matt Helm), the Thane of Fife, Macduff (Corey Hawkins), and Banquo, who is also his good friend and confidant.
Joel and Ethan Coen have created a remarkable body of work that includes unorthodox comedies as well as genre-bending dramas. No wonder the two have amassed boatloads of awards and fans. So it comes as a surprise that they decided to part ways for "The Tragedy of Macbeth." And their split showed as the duo’s customary wit and quips disappeared completely from the screen. Nevertheless, it makes sense because this Shakespeare story about desire, murder, and morality is no laughing matter.
Macbeth is an omnibus of many things. It is about guilt, betrayal, and treachery, and is a case study on tyranny, corruption, masculinity, and violence. It is an odd project to adapt for any filmmaker because of its themes, but it is a fertile story that has remained relevant up until now.
Shot in black and white, "The Tragedy of Macbeth" puts visuals at the front and center of its narrative. The cinematographer, Bruno Delbonnel, is clearly influenced by various filmmakers’ films, drawing visual cues from auteurs such as Ingmar Bergman and Robert Wiene. It is also deliberately heavy on symbolism. The mise-en-scène is like a stage play. Yet despite the intentional cheap look of the production design, everything that appears on screen, from the ghost to the witches, feels like it is supposedly the visual manifestation intended by Shakespeare himself.
But obviously, the technicals can only do so much. Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand both elevate this film to new heights. Denzel fits perfectly into Joel Coen’s vision of Macbeth: jaded, old, and driven. At the same time, he’s demented, deranged, and livid. The award-winning actor is the clear positive of the film. On the other hand, Frances is performing at her peak. She’s scornful and insane, like the infamous Lady Macbeth. The same with Denzel; she’s flawlessly good and utterly convincing. It is also imperative to specifically mention Kathryn Hunter in this review for her jaw-dropping performance as the three witches.
The problem with "The Tragedy of Macbeth," though, is the language used in telling the story. All of the characters speak in the Shakespearean dialect. Although it is admirable, it is difficult to comprehend the intention behind each scene without researching what the words mean first. The study of Shakespeare's plays must be common in the west, but in other countries it’s hardly ever taught. Without the basic understanding of Elizabethan English and the Macbeth story, this film could easily be just blabber.
In essence, "The Tragedy of Macbeth" is not a movie that everyone will enjoy since it’s hard to follow and understand. But it is definitely a well-made film with excellent performances and brilliant technicalities. It is unquestionably a highlight of the Coen Brothers' oeuvre, as well as of any film made in this decade. It is debatable, though, if it is one of the best.
2.5/5
