Review of Lady Macbeth (2016) by Art S — 21 Dec 2018

Adapted from a 19th century Russian novel and not from Shakespeare (but definitely with overtones from that tragedy), this is really a showcase for Florence Pugh who, at age 20, dominates the proceedings.

Pugh plays a young woman who marries (or is purchased) into a wealthy family in the north of England in the 1860s - she clearly has a wilful streak but her husband disdains her and seeks to keep her locked up inside (when she would rather run free on the moors).

Her stern father-in-law runs the house and both servants and family are treated with contempt. When these men are called away, Katherine (Pugh) asserts herself, including beginning a passionate affair with a groomsman (Cosmo Jarvis).

As gossip begins to spread, Katherine takes increasingly decisive actions to preserve the illicit relationship. As directed by William Oldroyd (in his first feature), this is a rather stately affair, with beautiful period setting and furnishing - but punctuated with moments of passion and violence (disturbingly so).

At first, Katherine appears to be a representation of the empowered woman - refusing to yield to the heavy-handed authority of the patriarchy - but as the film progresses and her actions become more ruthless, it is harder to sympathise with her.

Is there a political point being made here? It is hard to know. (Inter-racial relationships are also highlighted - so both race and gender are under the microscope). Regardless of its sociological themes, the film is absorbing, a bit Shakespearean, not too long, and Florence Pugh is great.