The Tragedy of Macbeth

Last night I saw my first film of 2022, The Tragedy of Macbeth, at the Broadway and I could not have picked a better one to start the year because it is a brilliant adaptation of Shakespeare's Scottish play.  After Macbeth (Denzel Washington), the Thane of Glamis, is victorious in battle, he is met by Three Witches (all played by Kathryn Hunter) who prophesy that he will become the Thane of Cawdor and the King of Scotland.  When King Duncan (Brendan Gleeson) bestows the title of Cawdor on him, he starts to believe the prophecy will eventually come true.  However, the ambitious Lady Macbeth (Frances McDormand) is not content to wait and spurs him on to take matters into his own hands.  After the brutal murder of Duncan, his son Malcolm (Harry Melling) flees and Macbeth takes the throne but he is forced to kill again and again to keep it.  Both he and Lady Macbeth come undone because of their guilt over their bloody deeds until another prophecy comes true and Macbeth is defeated by Macduff (Corey Hawkins).  This adaptation is quite faithful to the original text but the action is stripped down to just the essentials and the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are much older and the motivation for their actions is informed by their age and the notion that time is running out for them to achieve their ambitions.  Both Washington and McDormand give riveting performances and the rest of the cast is also outstanding, particularly Stephen Root in a small role as the Porter.  This film is very moody and atmospheric with black and white photography, menacing sound design, and sets that feel more theatrical than cinematic.  I loved the use of light and shadow against stark geometric shapes, especially as Macbeth walks down a long corridor to reach the king's chamber.  I also enjoyed the staging of Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane and the fight between Macbeth and Macduff on the ramparts of the castle.  Finally, the use of birds as a portent of danger in the opening scene, as a representation of the Three Witches, and as a representation of the ghost of Banquo (Bertie Carvell) is incredibly unsettling and, therefore, highly effective.  I love the play Macbeth and this adaptation is one of the best I've seen (the people in my audience applauded at the end) so I highly recommend it.