OBSERVER: Macbeth Film Review
This engrossing black and white film of the enduring Shakespeare tragedy Macbeth is probably best suited to an audience who know the story. Some character transformations without clearer costume may confuse.
That said, the uniform-like costumes, set and monochrome colouring, have a hypnotizing synchronicity that pull you towards the enduring brilliance of Shakespeare’s words.
This film is a powerful study of the mental journey of a couple who feel each other’s deepest secrets.
The camera captures superbly the moment Macbeth (David Tennant) realises that his wife instinctively knows his hideous desire to speed the process of becoming king, by violent means.
The lens work exposes Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s (Cush Jumbo) deteriorating control and the psychological weight of guilt and desire which is slowly breaking down their minds.
The chaotic witches’ prophesies of the future was particularly interesting, spoken by the cast in a hurly burly bedlam of movement and vocal grabs – like surfacing unmanageable worries about the country’s gathering suspicions.
The darting eyes of Lady Macbeth spiralling downwards are closely unsettling.
This five-star production is set on a thrust style white raised square with cast choreographed architecturally around, linear, criss-crossing, often becoming like Greek chorus, moving the story forward.
The straight judgement line versus Macbeth wandering as the ruination of nature is recounted is perfectly executed.
Spellbinding moments are captured – a snakeskin-like bowl of water, startling raven sounds, highland party music, a lone pipe, the swish of a vanishing ghost …
David Tennant’s “Tomorrow and tomorrow …” soliloquy , close framed in the glass doorway, empty even of sorrow, desire to fight lost … but he must continue, grasping still for his wrangled brain’s dreams.
This is powerful ensemble work, cleverly filmed to capture tension and horror as we journey into dark souls and what has driven them to the abyss.
Distributed by Sharmill Films.
Macbeth is in Australian cinemas from February 20.
Review by Maggie Morrison
Pictured: David Tennant (Macbeth) and Cush Jumbo (Lady Macbeth) in Macbeth.
Photo: Marc Brenner