A Scottish lord becomes convinced by a trio of witches that he will become the next King of Scotland, and his ambitious wife supports him in his plans of seizing power.
Shakespeare adaptations are the trickiest and most exciting things. His work’s survived hundreds of years and each time a new rendition comes out it gets ranked against all the others in terms of originality, proximity to the source text, and most importantly, performance. Shakespeare is always considered an actor’s treat, but every now and then a rare film adaptation will bring this performance to the top and get many more people talking about Shakespeare than ever did previously. Joel Coen, striking out on his own for the first time in twenty-plus years, adapts the Scottish play in exaggeratedly brutal fashion using acting legend Frances McDormand and genuine movie star Denzel Washington to craft a near-perfect portrayal of the Bard’s bloodiest story.
The first thing to know is this might be the most closely adapted Shakespeare project to date. I don’t know the exact scene count of the Scottish play so I can’t say for sure but it feels the most close-hewn version yet. That’s what makes the performances so commanding. Shakespeare’s language can distract and even diminish the content for viewers, calling attention to itself with countless puns and wordplays, that it takes a powerful actor to carry out the Bard’s words and tell this story to us. Denzel and McDormand nail it.
We already know both as impressive actors for stage and screen but this particular film blurs the line between both, allowing for them to use skills normally reserved for one medium or the other. Shot entirely on sound stages (and actually held on pause for four months during Covid’s initial phase) the movie develops with pristine clarity.
What I love most about this adaptation is the intimacy afforded them by the camera. Where theater actors have to project a certain amount to get their performance across, we’re allowed up close and personal. So much of the coverage comes in super tight shots with crystal clear audio affording us every throat clear and head scratch. It also allows practical effects to fill in the witchy scenes. These effects really add to the eerie atmosphere of the play. Water rising from the floor, faces shifting in the murky depths, and plenty of other tricks help distinguish this from a “play on film” to a “filmed version of the play.”
It’s impressively done for Joel to not only film the play but also embellish and add to it. The stages butt out in sharp corners and intense angles. The textured stonework of the walls, the metal abrasions on the swords add up to a perfectly in-depth feeling. Like we’re really inhabiting this sparse world, even as it seems like such an exaggerated world.
Every shot in the film is treated as a painting and the black and white only adds to the cinematography. Crafted with indelible images carved into the fabric of this film, every frame feels like an art piece. Match cuts line up similar shapes or fades superimpose the human eye over a raging fire. When this combines with the noisy sound design of the overall film, it adds up to a lot of decisions that seem perfectly over the top for a stage play and yet perfectly balanced for a film.
I can’t recommend this film enough to Shakespeare buffs. Fans of Joel Coen’s serious work will enjoy every second of this. It rings out larger than life on the big screen. I don’t doubt that English classes everywhere will get the chance to watch this as a semester wrap-up. I loved it. I loved hearing every second of thunder, rich in symbolism and imagery. I can’t recommend this movie enough!
In Theaters Saturday, December 25th, and premiering on Apple TV+ Friday, January 14th
