The Tragedy of Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Starring Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Alex Hassell, Corey Hawkins
Directed by Joel Coen
Starring Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Alex Hassell, Corey Hawkins
Directed by Joel Coen
The work of William Shakespeare needs no introduction, and practically everyone in the world has heard of at least some of his greatest work like Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth, so suffice it to say that, after having been written over four hundred years ago, "The Tragedy of Macbeth" really doesn't need a spoiler warning, if only to freshen up your memory from when you had to read the story in high school. While the Bard's work has been told and re-told in countless film productions, Joel Coen's take on the fabled story of Macbeth is easily one of the best set to screen, a film that's as harrowing in its production designs as it is in its dialogue and acting, culminating in a nearly pitch-perfect production that feels like you're about to go into a high school production of the play, but instead of Tommy and Tammy playing the leads, Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand decide to crash the festivities instead (sorry Tommy and Tammy).
When Lord Macbeth (Denzel Washington) is visited by three witches (Kathryn Hunter), they tell him that he will one day be King of Scotland, but first he'll be crowned the Thane of Cawdor. When this occurs, he starts believing his own press, and with the help of Lady Macbeth (Frances McDormand), attempts to make the prophecy come true his own way - by bathing in the blood of the king, committing regicide, and attempting to wipe out any possible opposition that comes his way. All the while he starts slowly deteriorating into madness, and with no son to carry on his legacy, sets out to make his empire a long-lasting one despite the obvious.
Joel Coen (one-half of the Academy Award-winning brother directing duo) steps away from his brother Ethan for the first time to self-direct this visually stunning masterpiece, and shows that the talent runs solo in the family as well as the entire family unit. He crafts the tale in lavish black-and-white, giving the movie a film noir sense that's often accompanied with the story of Macbeth itself, as it serves to prove the murder mystery motif that the subgenre is best known for (although technically it's not really a mystery, but you get my drift). The entire film was shot on a sound stage, so all the outdoor scenes are obviously faked, but it doesn't deter from the product, because there's an ethereal sense throughout the entirety of the show that balances to the Bard's excellent storytelling and Coen's exemplary interpretation of it to the screen.
Besides the excellent filming style of Bruno Delbonnel and fancy, unforgettable set designs by Stefan Dechant, the film is heightened by the emotional musical score composed by Carter Burwell, and also incorporates intense sound effects to heighten Macbeth's descent into madness (most notably when he kills the king, his blood dripping off his hand and forming a pool of blood on the floor, they make each drop sound like a resounding drum beat). Not to mention the fact that the film was shot in the classic style as opposed to the wide-screen we now see, it allows the action, performances, and tension to be incredibly tight and somewhat suffocating, confining everything to a smaller screen to more pronounce the events that happen therein.
While it's pretty much impossible to fully comprehend and understand all of William Shakespeare's long-winded dialogue, it's much easier to digest it when it's being spoken by seasoned pros, and "The Tragedy of Macbeth" is expertly cast not just for the two main leads, but even the most minimal parts were played by A-list actors. Yet to anchor the film, Coen enlisted the eternal talents of Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand, and they definitely didn't disappoint. Washington even incorporates some of his well-known mannerisms into the role, giving it a more three-dimensional feel than just words escaping the page, and McDormand truly emulates the Lady with steely resolve, unrelenting nerve, and really commands the screen even next to her equally scene-stealing co-star - of course it probably helps that her husband is also the director. If anything, these performances are too polished, as both of them descend into madness makes it look so graceful and practical.
Yet the standout performance is stage veteran Kathryn Hunter, who plays the three witches in the film. From the first time you see her on screen, you're completely mesmerized by her. Not only does she exhibit the auditory feel of a witch, but she contorts her body in such a way that's dizzying and nauseating, giving her a fully expressive experience that won't soon be forgotten. Her opening scene cemented me to my seat, kept me glued intently, and was easily one of the best performances I've seen in a long while. Truly captivating, and only served to be the elaborate stepping stone of an unforgettable visual marvel I would later behold - a version that Shakespeare himself would've gladly approved of.
Spinning deceit, murder, and ambition into a powerful narrative is no issue for the famed Shakespare, but Joel Coen's interpretation in "The Tragedy of Macbeth" stands out as one of the best iterations of his work, filled with intense dramatic moments and unforgettable imagery that'll stick with you.
The Score: A+
When Lord Macbeth (Denzel Washington) is visited by three witches (Kathryn Hunter), they tell him that he will one day be King of Scotland, but first he'll be crowned the Thane of Cawdor. When this occurs, he starts believing his own press, and with the help of Lady Macbeth (Frances McDormand), attempts to make the prophecy come true his own way - by bathing in the blood of the king, committing regicide, and attempting to wipe out any possible opposition that comes his way. All the while he starts slowly deteriorating into madness, and with no son to carry on his legacy, sets out to make his empire a long-lasting one despite the obvious.
Joel Coen (one-half of the Academy Award-winning brother directing duo) steps away from his brother Ethan for the first time to self-direct this visually stunning masterpiece, and shows that the talent runs solo in the family as well as the entire family unit. He crafts the tale in lavish black-and-white, giving the movie a film noir sense that's often accompanied with the story of Macbeth itself, as it serves to prove the murder mystery motif that the subgenre is best known for (although technically it's not really a mystery, but you get my drift). The entire film was shot on a sound stage, so all the outdoor scenes are obviously faked, but it doesn't deter from the product, because there's an ethereal sense throughout the entirety of the show that balances to the Bard's excellent storytelling and Coen's exemplary interpretation of it to the screen.
Besides the excellent filming style of Bruno Delbonnel and fancy, unforgettable set designs by Stefan Dechant, the film is heightened by the emotional musical score composed by Carter Burwell, and also incorporates intense sound effects to heighten Macbeth's descent into madness (most notably when he kills the king, his blood dripping off his hand and forming a pool of blood on the floor, they make each drop sound like a resounding drum beat). Not to mention the fact that the film was shot in the classic style as opposed to the wide-screen we now see, it allows the action, performances, and tension to be incredibly tight and somewhat suffocating, confining everything to a smaller screen to more pronounce the events that happen therein.
While it's pretty much impossible to fully comprehend and understand all of William Shakespeare's long-winded dialogue, it's much easier to digest it when it's being spoken by seasoned pros, and "The Tragedy of Macbeth" is expertly cast not just for the two main leads, but even the most minimal parts were played by A-list actors. Yet to anchor the film, Coen enlisted the eternal talents of Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand, and they definitely didn't disappoint. Washington even incorporates some of his well-known mannerisms into the role, giving it a more three-dimensional feel than just words escaping the page, and McDormand truly emulates the Lady with steely resolve, unrelenting nerve, and really commands the screen even next to her equally scene-stealing co-star - of course it probably helps that her husband is also the director. If anything, these performances are too polished, as both of them descend into madness makes it look so graceful and practical.
Yet the standout performance is stage veteran Kathryn Hunter, who plays the three witches in the film. From the first time you see her on screen, you're completely mesmerized by her. Not only does she exhibit the auditory feel of a witch, but she contorts her body in such a way that's dizzying and nauseating, giving her a fully expressive experience that won't soon be forgotten. Her opening scene cemented me to my seat, kept me glued intently, and was easily one of the best performances I've seen in a long while. Truly captivating, and only served to be the elaborate stepping stone of an unforgettable visual marvel I would later behold - a version that Shakespeare himself would've gladly approved of.
Spinning deceit, murder, and ambition into a powerful narrative is no issue for the famed Shakespare, but Joel Coen's interpretation in "The Tragedy of Macbeth" stands out as one of the best iterations of his work, filled with intense dramatic moments and unforgettable imagery that'll stick with you.
The Score: A+
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