William Shakespeare’s Macbeth has existed in many different iterations in the centuries since it was first put to paper. There have been modern interpretations that ditch the sing-songy language, and more faithful versions that choose to expand on the framework originally. It’s a story that has been done to death but when director Joel Coen, working without his brother Ethan, seeks to adapt The Bard’s popular fable and enlists the help of Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand to play its two central characters, it’s impossible not to take notice.
While past Coen works have mixed comedy and drama to tremendous effect,The Tragedy of Macbethis as faithful of an adaptation as one could imagine. So much so that at times it feels like a stage play brought to life with minimalist set dressings and camera tricks that frame the scenes as if on a stage.The Tragedy of Macbethis still Shakespeare and all that comes with it, but it’s easily one of the most impressive versions of this story put to film.
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Macbeth is a play that doesn’t need much in the way of a summary, but it’s worth highlighting Coen’s narrative choices. He chooses not to embellish the events of Shakespeare’s play or to add to it beyond what the text suggests. The Tragedy of Macbeth is arguably one of the most faithful cinematic adaptations seen in quite some time, but what makes this version of Macbeth so unique is its filmmaking and performances, which are award-worthy.
Washington commands the screen with a presence that is beguiling. When he first comes across the Wyrd Sisters (played with disturbing confidence by Kathryn Hunter), Macbeth is entrepreneurial and naive. His line delivery is that of a weary soldier who lives a meek existence and is thankful for the opportunities afforded to him. But as the character begins to gain power and confidence, driven on by the prophecies of the Witches, Washington becomes hauntingly obsessive and alarmingly headstrong. Washington clearly has a knack for delivering Shakespearean iambic pentameter and he digs into the role full-bore.
Opposite Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand’s Lady Macbeth enters the frame as an obsessed but devoted wife whose ambition drives her to madness. While Washington’s character’s descent is highlighted by blissful ignorance, McDormand’s feels compelled by a desire to be free of guilt. Whether it’s acting opposite Washington or monologuing to the camera, McDormand’s Lady Macbeth is both mesmerizing and disturbing.
The rest ofThe Tragedy of Macbethcast is equally suited to the material. Particular highlights are Alex Hassell’s Ross, Bertie Carvel’s Banquo, and Harry Melling’s Malcolm. Obviously, a Shakespeare adaptation featuring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand is an easy sell, but the story only works if everyone serves the tone of the piece. Coen made sure to find actors who not only could meet the challenge of the dialogue but also capture the dreamlike nature of the film.
WhereThe Tragedy of Macbeth’s tone most comes through is in its cinematography and production design. Bruno Delbonnel’s use of light and shadow help give the sparse sets a sense of scope and scale that extends beyond the 4:3 frame. The choice to shoot the film in black and white puts a certain emphasis on the performances, but it also highlights the smaller details in the costumes and the actors’ faces. The individual strands of grey hair in Macbeth’s beard or the dark ravens that serve as a constant motif in the film giveThe Tragedy of Macbetha palpable texture and turn each frame into a stunningly composed feast for the eyes.
Part and parcel of the cinematography, the set design inThe Tragedy of the Macbethevokes the sense of a filmed stage play. There’s an almost diorama-like quality to the sets in the film, which allows the 4:3 borders to serve as curtains around the frame, and the use of smoke both helps the individual visual elements stand out and also suggests a larger world just out of reach. Every scene and every set seems carefully constructed to work with the cinematography to create an overall look and feel that melds well with the dream-like nature of the play’s narrative. Even those who might not care for Shakespeare’s language will be able to appreciate the cinematic expertise on display.
Shakespeare hang-ups notwithstanding,The Tragedy of Macbethis an impeccably crafted adaptation that is exact in every detail. The performances are respectful of the material, but there is just enough of each actor’s personal choices shining through to make it their own. Visually, the film rewards an active eye and every frame could exist as a stark piece of art. The substance has been proven time and again but the style is what truly sells this particular version. Joel Coen may have gone out of limb with a project that no one expected, but he found all the right pieces to make well-worn territory feel special.
The Tragedy of Macbethis available on Apple TV+ now.
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Joel Coen presents The Tragedy of Macbeth, a film based on the classic play written by William Shakespeare, starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. The film retells the story of Macbeth, which entails ambitious goals that result in a usurpers plot and murder that shakes the kingdom to its core.
