In a world where the modern cinematic norm leans more towards explosions, vulgar language, and visuals created with a computer instead of a camera, 2015’s Macbeth adaptation still holds a tight and invigorating grip on its audience. It does not contain explosions (unless you count the fiery emotion), it does not include vulgarity (unless you include vulgar actions), and the visual style and camerawork could never be accomplished by a computer to the high degree that this film carries.
I have seen a handful of screen adaptations for William Shakespeare’s works (mainly Hamlet, Macbeth, and Romeo & Juliet) and each one brings something different. Whether the leads are played by legendary Shakespeare regulars (Sir Kenneth Branaugh, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Lawrence Olivier, and Sir Ian McKellen to name a few) or newer actors to his plays, each one has a unique take or interpretation of the source material. This film is, I think, the first to bring a real grit and fervor to the action and the violence that happens throughout, I think it is one of the best cinematic representations of the legendary bard’s works that I have seen to date. Granted I haven't seen very many, but my opinion is still withstanding.
Acting Performances
This work of the great Shakespeare himself has been pored over and analyzed for centuries, and most American high school students are likely (or at least I hope they have) to have read it at some point. Bringing up themes such as pride, envy, betrayal, and mortality’s influence on life, the plot of Macbeth goes to many deep emotional reaches, and the actors in this film keep a steady grip on the source material. Michael Fassbender, known by most for playing Magneto in the current X-Men movies, brought a great depth and poignancy to the role, and I’m quite surprised that he didn’t get much attention from any notable awards categories. Fassbender did however get nominated for an Academy Award this same year for playing the titular character in Steve Jobs, which is a great movie in itself. Playing Macbeth’s partner and the catalyst to much of the plot, Marion Cotillard (from "Inception" and "The Dark Knight Rises") absolutely nailed her portrayal of Lady Macbeth, who I consider to be the most interesting character in the story. Such greed and then such loss, and Cotillard played it perfectly.
Action and Character Development
Bringing a real fierceness and ferocity to an already brutal tale, this film astounded and honestly caught me off guard with how well it brought Macbeth to the screen. If my memory serves me right, the play begins essentially after a large battle, and there’s not much to be seen of the fight really, just the aftermath. Well in this film we get to see what brought us up to the beginning of the play in all of it's power and colorful violence. We get to see why Macbeth begins as such a respected ally and feared enemy, which then sets up the character for his transformation throughout the plot.
Cinematography/Artistic Styling
Stylistically, this isn’t only some of the best I’ve seen in a Shakespeare-based film, but one of the best in a film of any background. Coarse textures, deep colors, brilliant lighting and camerawork, and the costumes could not have been better. Much of this can be seen in the trailer, and it only builds upon itself throughout the film. There’s a grit and real feeling that this movie maintains, and it makes it so believable and improves everything else in the picture.
My Overall Take(s) and Closing
This film reportedly received a 10-minute standing ovation from the audience at the esteemed Cannes Film Festival, which, for anyone who doesn’t know, is rarely accomplished. I had hoped to see it when it was in theaters, but it was never screened in a theater even relatively near me. It was only when I found out it was free on Amazon (with Prime) that I got the opportunity to watch it. This film is dark and carries a fury (that does signify something *wink*) throughout, but it is well worth the time to watch it.
It is a common thing to hear from students in English classes that they don’t understand Shakespeare, and I understand that. I will admit that I watched the movie with subtitles (which did help), but I mainly did so because I needed help understanding the beautiful language through the sometimes difficult, but wonderfully authentic, Scottish accents. I had great English teachers when I read some of Shakespeare’s works (a couple of which will probably read this post off of Facebook) and they are the ones that helped me become so interested in his plays. With that, I encourage everyone to read his projects, maybe with online tools to clear up questions, as his writings are still just as relevant today and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
