Review: The Tragedy of Macbeth

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Who's it for: Shakespeare lovers, Denzel fans, #filmtwitter

Director Joel Coen takes a stab at Shakespeare's famous play with Denzel Washington playing Macbeth, the man convinced by a trio of witches (Kathryn Hunter) that he will become the King of Scotland

I was convinced I was going to watch this movie and hate how it looks because of my aversion to black and white. I half expected to have the opposite reaction to 2015's Macbeth, where it looks beautiful but the movie was garbage. I thought I'd enjoy this, but wouldn't like how it looked.

Thankfully, I was wrong. The way Coen shoots this is fascinating. All his sets are bare bones, yet there's a strange beauty in them. It's half a play half a movie and I loved the way it looked. 

Denzel actually made me sympathize with Macbeth, which has never happened. There's just something about his face. I would like Denzel to be the King of Scotland. Sure, Macbeth, murder everyone and take your rightful throne. It made for a fun way to re-engage with this famous work. The supporting cast was wonderful too. Kathryn Hunter should be getting way more attention for playing the Witches. If Bradley Cooper can get award nominations for his cameo in Licorice Pizza, she should be getting them for this.

If you're a bit tired of Macbeth adaptations, I still suggest this one for the way it looks. It's currently available on Apple TV, and if you don't carry that service, it's worth the $4.99 to get it for a month. Then you can also watch Ted Lasso and Wolfwalkers while you're at it.

Grade: B+

Comments

  1. thevoid99January 19, 2022 at 4:39 PM

    This is a film I am eager to see though I know it's only Joel Coen at the helm for now but technically, it's a Coen Brothers film. Plus, I'd like to see how this version compares to other adaptations of the play by Orson Welles, Akira Kurosawa, and Roman Polanski.

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    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 20, 2022 at 4:19 PM

      Coen doesn't really feel different without his brother, so it works. lol

      Delete
  2. BirgitJanuary 19, 2022 at 11:20 PM

    Denzel was in the Shakespeare film, “Much Ado About Nothing” with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson, a film I still want to see. MacBeth was never a favourite of mine unlike many people I know who love this play. I like King Lear for the Tragedies but, I have to admit, I have never been a lover of Shakespeare and always felt people would gasp if I stated this out loud and then think I must have less brain cells.

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    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 20, 2022 at 4:20 PM

      I like Shakespeare, but I was always more fond of his sonnets than his full on plays. I haven't met too many people who go hard for him, thankfully.

      Delete
  3. m.brownJanuary 20, 2022 at 8:20 PM

    Oh, damn. I think my AppleTV trial is still good, so I gotta jump on this one asap. I have a bit of an aversion to Shakespeare... but Denzel and a Coen? That duo beats rock, paper and scissors...so, I'm in and thanks for the heads up! (As usual)

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    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 21, 2022 at 7:54 AM

      Yes! I hope you like it. Bless those free Apple TV subs. That's what I used to watch Ted Lasso lol

      Delete
  4. keith71_98January 24, 2022 at 4:27 PM

    YES! Glad you were able to see it. I'm a big fan. And again, congrats on being accepted into your critics groups. That's exciting.

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    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 25, 2022 at 6:47 PM

      I am too! Thank you so much. I'm super excited to be part of a group!!

      Delete

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