Macbeth review: All hail Macbeth. It’s bloody brilliant and blindingly brilliant…
Macbeth review
Macbeth has been a mainstay on the school curriculum forever, yours truly studied it, and my teacher made things very interesting by challenging us to modernise the famous banquet scene. My spin was to set it within the world of wrestling – I had Triple H as Macbeth and Stephanie MacMahon as Lady Macbeth (it was when they were ‘married’). This Friday sees a new film adaptation arrive in cinemas and, though sadly they haven’t gone in my direction, director Justin Kurzel has created something truly special.
Those who have always been at odds with Shakespeare should probably steer clear however, as this is a very traditional affair, but if you can even stomach the bard a little, there is a lot to enjoy.
Director Kurzel has created a real-life masterpiece painting, if you were blown away by the trailer, well you haven’t seen anything yet, it is visual perfection. The opening battle sequence sets the mood perfectly with a blood-red sky with atmospheric heath mist; later we get rich oranges and golds as well as icy greys. Be warned the film straddles scenes so dark a mole would be at home, and with shots so bright it’s like staring directly into the sun. You might want to pack some shades as it can be more than a tad painful on the eyes.
Macbeth is so visually sumptuous and mesmerising that the viewer is pulled into a trance-like stupor. Watching Macbeth is akin to closing your eyes and drifting off to a world of vibrant dreams.
Macbeth review
Complementing the iconic images is a stellar sound design and soundtrack. The music is haunting, enchanting and otherworldly with the sound design keeping everything grounded. The butchering of Duncan – and it is butchering – is gut-wrenching. Each dagger stab is highlighted by a pounding so loud and intense it’s like it’s your right at his side, an unwilling witness and ally.
Alongside the breathtaking cinematography and the scorching score, is the killer performances by all involved. Yes Fassbender and Cotillard are as fantastic as we all knew they would be, but we’ll get to them later. The supporting cast are equally as solid, Paddy Considine‘s Banquo is stoic and strong, whilst Sean Harris‘ MacDuff is quiet and cunning.
Macbeth review
Cotillard is magnetic and heartbreaking, her Lady Macbeth less the manipulative bitch that we’re used to seeing. Her ‘Out damned spot’ speech is so overwrought with emotion that it’s hard to make it the whole way through without shedding a tear.
And then we come to Mr. Fassbender, the main man himself. Mactbeth is a tricky character, he starts off honest before getting seduced by power. Fassbender traverses the multi-layered character with aplomb and brings to life every square inch of the screen that he is in. To be completely honest Fassbender might as will just retire now as he will never surpass this performance, it truly is a star maker.
That William Shakespeare didn’t do too badly for himself now did he? He may have died in 1616 but yet here we are 400 years later still enthralled by his writing. If only he were still around to see this version.
Macbeth magically transcends the line between play, film and dream. It’s bloody brilliant and blindingly brilliant, as well as emotional, evocative and epic. All hail Macbeth.
Macbeth review by Kat Hughes, September 2015.
Macbeth arrives in UK cinemas on 2nd October.
