The Tragedy of Macbeth is a 2021 American historical thriller film written, directed, and produced by Joel Coen, based on the play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare. It is the first film directed by one of the Coen brothers without the other's involvement.
The film stars Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Bertie Carvel, Alex Hassell, Corey Hawkins, Harry Melling, Kathryn Hunter, and Brendan Gleeson.
The film premiered at the 2021 New York Film Festival on September 24, 2021, and had a limited theatrical release on December 25, 2021, by A24. The film received critical acclaim for its direction, cinematography, and the performances of Washington, McDormand, and Hunter. It has been nominated for three Oscars, including Best Actor for Denzel Washington.
Plot
The Tragedy of Macbeth follows the story of a Scottish lord named Macbeth, who receives a prophecy from three witches that he will become king. Driven by his ambition and encouraged by his wife, Lady Macbeth, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the throne for himself.
However, his guilt and paranoia lead him to commit more murders, including those of his friend Banquo and the family of Macduff. As Macbeth becomes more tyrannical, his hold on power becomes increasingly tenuous, and he is eventually killed in battle by Macduff.
The play explores themes of ambition, guilt, and the corrupting influence of power. The film adaptation directed by Joel Coen follows the same plot as the play.
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Cast
- Denzel Washington as Macbeth
- Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth
- Bertie Carvel as Banquo
- Alex Hassell as Ross
- Corey Hawkins
- Harry Melling
- Kathryn Hunter
- Brendan Gleeson
The film is directed by Joel Coen and stars an ensemble cast, with Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand in the lead roles. The performances of the cast have been acclaimed for their contribution to the film.
Director: Joel Coen
Writer: Joel Coen
Box Office gross: $524,771
Distributor: A24
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2021
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 14, 2022
Themes & Reception
The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) has been praised for its visual style, performances, and faithful adaptation of Shakespeare's original production. The film has been noted for its stunning revitalization of the classic horror tragedy, using modern cinema techniques and VFX to enhance its presentation.
Joel Coen's direction, Bruno Delbonnel's cinematography, and Stefan Dechant's production design have been particularly acclaimed for creating a visually striking and atmospheric experience.
The film has received several accolades, including Academy Award nominations for Best Actor, Best Production Design, and Best Cinematography. Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand's performances as Lord and Lady Macbeth have been lauded for capturing the essence of Shakespeare's characters, with their impassioned performances and eye-catching visuals carrying the senses.
The themes of the film, such as ambition, guilt, and the corrupting influence of power, have been effectively portrayed, and the film has been described as a faithful adaptation of Shakespeare's original production.
Challenges Faced
During the production of The Tragedy of Macbeth, one of the crucial challenges faced was how to make the audience connect with the character of Macbeth and admire him, at least to some extent, before he descends into committing heinous acts.
This was highlighted in a review that mentioned the difficulty of establishing a connection and admiration for Macbeth early on in the film, particularly in the portrayal of the character in the opening scenes.
The review expressed that the portrayal was perceived as low-key and even boring, which hindered the establishment of the necessary connection with the audience. Additionally, the production team focused more on costume than the set during pre-production, aiming to create an intensely stylized, studio-bound, and austere reimagining of Shakespeare's play.
The decision to abstract the imagery and take a cinematic approach while staying in dialogue with the rhythms and themes of the text presented another challenge. The film's layered milky white mist and the abstraction of the point of view added to the complexity of the production, creating an atmosphere where it was often unclear whether it was night or day.
These challenges reflect the intricacies involved in bringing a classic and complex work like "Macbeth" to the screen, especially in terms of character portrayal and visual representation, while staying true to the essence of the original text.
Visual Styles & Techniques
The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) has been praised for its visual style and techniques. The film's black-and-white cinematography, with a 1.37:1 aspect ratio, has been noted for its stark and stunning quality, which complements the film's austere and minimalist approach.
The film's visual style is intended to evoke the feel of a stage play rendition of Shakespeare's work, with set design, lighting, and cinematography working together to create an atmosphere and mood that stays with the viewer long after screening.
The film's production design, led by Stefan Dechant, has been praised for its organic and architectural environment augmentations, set extensions, and CG ravens, which helped to create the film's stylized and atmospheric look.
The use of wide shots to capture the background, setting, and atmosphere of the subject has been noted for its effectiveness in communicating the film's themes. The use of contrast to enhance depth and the creation of a visual structure that positions the actors in a powerful and imagined cinematic space has also been highlighted as notable visual techniques.
Setting
The movie is set in medieval Scotland, as per the original play by William Shakespeare. The film's production design, set extensions, and CG ravens were used to create an organic and architectural environment that helped to make the film's stylized and atmospheric look possible.
Trivia
The film was shot entirely in black and white, with a 1.37:1 aspect ratio, to create a stark and minimalist look that evokes the feel of a stage play.
The film was directed by Joel Coen, marking the first time that one of the Coen brothers has directed a film without the other.
Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand, who play Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, are married in real life.
The film premiered at the 2021 New York Film Festival on September 24, 2021, and had a limited theatrical release on December 25, 2021, by A24.
The film was shot in black and white using Arri Alexa Mini cameras, with a custom-made lens that was designed to mimic the look of vintage lenses.
The film's production design, led by Stefan Dechant, used set extensions and CG ravens to create an organic and architectural environment that helped to make the film's stylized and atmospheric look possible.
The film's score was composed by Carter Burwell, who has worked on several Coen brothers’ films, including "Fargo" and "No Country for Old Men".
Fun Fact
One interesting fact about the 2021 adaptation of The Tragedy of Macbeth is that the film's title characters, played by Denzel Washington, and Lady Macbeth, played by Frances McDormand, bring a unique perspective to their roles due to their age.
Their portrayal as an older couple brings greater urgency to their decisions and actions within the story, as time becomes a resource, they can't rely on it in the same way that younger characters could.
Additionally, their age gives them a deeper familiarity and ease with each other, adding a layer of complexity to their characters and making Lady Macbeth's eventual tragedy all the more poignant for her husband. This unique portrayal adds a fresh and compelling dimension to the characters and their dynamics within the classic story.
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