Review of The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) by Migdalorguy — 16 Jan 2022
As a film, this is a brillaint creation, with some truly stunning acting, and clever visual imagery. However, no truer statement could be said ither than that which the film itself says, that is it "based on" the play by William Shakespeare.
It is NOT "the play" by William Shakespeare. It does an incredible job of telling the story as understood and interpreted by Joel Coen, which can be said of many productions of Shakespeare on stage and on film.
There's nothing inherently wrong with that. The only place it fails for me is in this: Shakespeares plays, even the tragedies, were written to be "entertainments." It is possible to convey even the heaviest elements of the depp and drak story line of this and other Shakespeare tragedies while allow them to remain entertainments.
It seems as Coen has determined to do just the opposite, and create this brooding, melancholy (though cinematically powerful) film. 'Tis a shame, for the true challenge in moiunting a stage or film production of this play and other Shakespearean tragediues is in finding how to keep them "entertainments" while simultaneously conveying the philosophies and observation about the human condition woven into these fine plays.
Go see it or stream it—it is fine filmmaking and even fine Shakespearean interpretation. It is not, however, Shakespearean fare.
This review of The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) was written by Migdalorguy on 16 Jan 2022.
The Tragedy of Macbeth has generally received positive reviews.
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