Review: The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)
“Life is but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more”
What better way to adapt a more than 400-year-old play into the screens, than delivering it with immensely beautiful cinematography, minimalist set design, and an astounding cast of actors. This is exactly what Joel Coen did in his adaptation of the play, he modernized it in a way that doesn’t interfere with the original message and its delivery.
The story of Macbeth is one of betrayal, regret, paranoia, and ambition. And I personally think its better for the viewers to know a general gist of the story before going into the movie. Due to the movie using Shakespearean English rather than modern English, which can lead to a sort of discrepancy between the viewers and the movie. I personally didn’t have any problems understanding the main points the movie is trying to deliver, but I would be lying if I say I understood it completely.
Nevertheless, The Tragedy of Macbeth is one of the most beautiful movies to have ever been shot, in my opinion. The number of times I just had to pause the movie to appreciate the cinematography is insane, I didn’t even know black and white movies have the capability of looking this good. The immaculate cinematography is also a means to modernize the play which goes together with the pseudo-modern architecture set design to create a dream-like atmosphere that result in some of the best-looking scenes I’ve ever laid my eyes on.
Another interesting spin that Joel Coen put is the monologues. Before this movie, I didn’t think monologues in movies were ever going to work, but I’m glad I was wrong. This movie clearly realizes that it is an adaptation of a play, and in by doing so, it keeps the original intent of William Shakespeare more than its previous adaptations. These monologues are one of many ways to preserve that intent. Not only that, but the accompanying actors that deliver those lines are just so perfect. Seeing Denzel Washington monologuing about his schemes to usurp the throne is something I never knew I needed.
The performances delivered by the cast is just incredible, Frances McDormand is a legend and the depiction of the three witches by Kathryn Hunter is so disturbing yet alluring at the same time. I personally think Joel really used the full potential of these amazing cast of actors, that you can’t help but feel like you’re being pulled into their surreal world.
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a story of unchecked ambition and the destruction that comes with it. What sort of heinous acts are you willing to commit to get what you want? And how far are you willing to go to preserve the things that you got? For Macbeth, it was far enough and far too late.
