The Tragedy of Macbeth

The Tragedy of Macbeth, now streaming on Apple TV+ for those of us that don't live in super indie-friendly markets, is a remarkable thing to watch for a lot of reasons. 

Primarily, it feels as if it transports you back in time. Back to those days in school when you'd be learning Shakespeare in English class, you'd have a substitute teacher, they would roll out the TV, and start playing one of those older movies like Romeo and Juliet. 

But Macbeth is high class compared to those in-school films you may remember, despite being able to transport you back in time. 

I'll admit right off the bat that I'm not exactly a Shakespeare fan. Obviously the man had a massive influence on writing, storytelling, and plays. I also prefer to know what characters are actually saying however, which is the primary reason I'm just a "casual" when it comes to Shakespeare appreciation. 

Macbeth, probably unsurprisingly, is all-in Shakespeare. Characters speak in poetic increments and deliver dialogue that may feel more like a riddle than an actual plot-moving sentence. That's not necessarily a knock on the film because I think there may have been an uproar had this been a "dumbed down" (aka probably easier to understand) and rewritten Macbeth, but it does mean the intended audience is likely slimmer. 

One of the first things you'll notice within 5-10 minutes of Macbeth is how absolutely striking it is. Distancing itself from the aforementioned "substitute teacher" Shakespeare, this is a masterpiece of cinematography, already a top contender in the category for the 2022 Rath Awards, and it's only January! The black and white aesthetic adds to this element, enhancing all the drastic shadows and contrast of interior and exterior settings. There's a large focus on centering characters and key details throughout, which I feel always adds an element of epicness to a movie. Weirdly, and perhaps the first time I've ever praised a film for this, the sets - specifically the architecture - are highly unique and create breathtaking, dystopian-castle backdrops. Honestly, I could probably talk about the cinematography and sets of Macbeth for an entire post, but I'll spare you here other than emphasizing one last time that if you're not a Shakespeare fan, but a fan of these sorts of details in film, Macbeth has plenty to take your breath away.

Why was I thinking of "Three Blind Mice" during this scene?

Thyest MADNESS creepth behind thine eyes*
*not an actual line in the film

For fans of both Shakespeare and films, Macbeth has a multitude of wonderful performances, anchored by a devoted Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington. McDormand conveys so much with her physical and facial performance that I often looked to her for cues of what was actually being said. Denzel's Macbeth, and his descent into power/madness is striking to watch, not just because the black-and-white aesthetic loves his salt-and-pepper beard, but also because it's subtle. You watch a man take and take, while trying to convince himself and others that he's right. There's something just very cool about seeing one of Hollywood's leading actors bring his entire passion and vigor for acting to something like a Shakespeare story and his deliverance of lines that may be confusing is still nothing short of captivating.

The Tragedy of Macbeth is an easy film to recommend to a variety of audiences, thanks in large part to Joel Coen's deft direction and style that creates a highly memorable tone, plus some incredible performances by Hollywood's best. If you're a Shakespeare and a film fan, you may just die watching this. If you're not a Shakespeare fan, but are a fan of arthouse film, you'll find enough to love and keep you invested. If you're neither, then it's probably best to stay away as this will probably just reinforce your dislike for both things. 

CONS

• Felt a little sluggish in parts
• "All-in" Shakespeare meaning that you won't always know what's being said
• Based on the trailers, I wanted much more original score and I think it could have really pushed this over the top

PROS

• Jaw-dropping cinematography
• Black and white was an awesome decision
• Architecture and set design is immaculate, feeling almost other-worldly
• The three bullets above combine to create a tone/vibe that is highly unique
• Strong direction from Coen
• Macbeth is still a captivating story
• Impressive performances all around, particularly from our two leads, McDormand and Washington

Rath's Review Score | 8.5/10