Macbeth (2015) (English Language)

Review

113min

Genre:     Drama, Action

Director:  Justin Kurzel

Cast:       Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Sean Harris…and more

Writers:   William Shakespeare, Justin Kurzel… and more

In the harshness of the European Middle-ages an ambitious Scottish nobleman, spurred on by his ruthless wife and ominous prophecies, murders the King and takes his throne. But his obsession will lead to utter despair for all in this stylish adaptation of William Shakespeare’s signature tragedy that shall not be named, Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth…

In only his second feature length film, director Justin Kurzel had the daunting task of crafting a compelling version of “The Bard of Avon’s” work for the screen, a rarity in recent times, but also cinematically fleshing-out an iconic tragedy for modern audiences. But thanks to superb cinematography and a cast that delivers on all fronts, Kurzel’s ‘Macbeth’ is arguably the best and most faithful adaptation of Shakespeare’s work in decades.

Cinematographer Adam Arkapaw does an admirable job of painting a stark but stunning mist & fog covered portrait of 11th century Scotland, and the bloody depictions of violence and battle are striking slow-motion ballets of brutality.

The plentiful dialogue is faithful to source and brought to life by a strong mostly British cast led by the prodigious talents of Michael Fassbender as the titular character, alongside Marion Cotillard’s accomplished Lady Macbeth. However with language that may be alien to modern ears delivered by strong and often whispered Scottish accents, ‘Macbeth’ may as well be a foreign language film to many non-British audiences.

Like any Shakespeare movie adaptation this ‘Macbeth’ is not without fault, for its visual style and heightened dramatic tone there isn’t enough time spent exploring the subtlety of Macbeth’s psychological decline and descent into madness. Neither are we entirely convinced by his or Lady Macbeth’s motivations.

Despite its limitations, ‘Macbeth’ is a considerable cinematic achievement that effectively captures the brutality and tragic heart of “The Scottish Play” in a way that theatre can only hope to. Please disregard the snobbery from “purists” about the modernist stylistic nature of this adaptation, it’s probably closer than anyone has come to capturing what Shakespeare imagined 400 years ago, visually at least.

The Bottom Line…

Visually stunning, bold and brutal, despite an unbalanced narrative ‘Macbeth’ is a compelling adaptation of the quintessential cautionary tale about the lust for power, and the original “Game of Thrones”.

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Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Macbeth (1971)

Encouraged by his ruthless wife and led by a prophecy of witches, a Scottish lord murders the King and seizes the throne only to be driven to madness and despair in a spiral which can only lead to tragedy.

Directed by Roman Polanski and starring Jon Finch, Francesca Annis and Terence Bayler among others.

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