Macbeth Movie Review

Macbeth is a story of passion, power, and violent betrayal: all of which are found in Mark Brozel’s contemporary adaptation of the Shakespearian classic. Set in Scotland, this production uses modern day language and dress to better relate to today’s audience. In this representation of Macbeth, Joe Macbeth is the sous chef in Duncan Docherty’s three star restaurant. Ella Macbeth, Billy Banquo, and Peter Macduff are also important characters. Macbeth has had multiple productions, from Orson Welles’ 1948 cinematic masterpiece to Polanski’s 1971 blood-filled horror story, and I believe that “Shakespeare Retold: Macbeth” was a fairly charming take this chilling dramatic piece; however, Brozel completely fails to bring Shakespeare’s crafted language and symbolism into view. Brozel focused on the unraveling of Joe and Ella’s relationship, and evil coming from Ella. One of the focal problems of Brozel’s production was the deterioration of the Macbeths’ marriage; however, it was not obvious that they had a strong relationship to begin with. For example, Ella was flirting with Duncan in front of a group: “Duncan: In another life, I’d make a pass at you. Ella: In another life I’d let you.” This does not seem like Ella is very committed or in love, nevertheless we find out the she is/was.

Though they do not talk other much in public, we see that Ella has a strong influence over Joe’s action; like when Ella convinces Joe that murdering Duncan is what he wants to do and what is best. Joe and Ella are “close-knit” but do not have a healthy relationship. Ella taunts and uses sexual appeal to get what she wants while Joe shows dominance over her physically by grabbing and throwing her down. Brozel uses a high angle shot to emphasize Joe’s strength and also Ella’s willingness to let him be in control. They are violent and passionate in their nature which ultimately leads to their downfall. We see their connection weaken after the murder of Duncan. Ella gets some sleep that night; Joe however, sits at the end of the bed wide awake. As the play goes, “Macbeth had murdered sleep” and so was true here. The two begin to become distant, for example when Joe yells at Ella that things will not be alright and then leaves her alone in bed. A close up on Ella’s solemn face and the scene is dark emphasizes the strain on their relationship.

The point of no return is the breakfast— banquet scene—after Joe loses his mind and everyone watches. Joe asks Ella why she doesn’t see the same things he does. Her depressingly honest response was, “We were together once, and then you stopped talking to me.” Finally after the torment of their failing relationship and of Duncan’s blood on her hands Ella committed suicide. Her final words were, “Help me Joe…. Where are you Joe….” and when Joe learned about this later he “felt nothing”. Ella’s suicide is shown and then a cut to Joe’s face showing how Joe will go on his journey for power alone. Joe and Ella’s marriage meltdown had good use of camera angles and blocking to make the viewers feel the tension. Similar methods were used to show the root of all evil: Ella.

Macbeth is interpreted as having multiple sources of evil and Brozel made it seem as though all of the anger and aggression originated from Ella. Ella acted as a dark temptress when talking to Duncan and when convincing Joe to murder. With her words and posture she sparked greed in Duncan and violence in Joe. Ella is often shown in close up, which we can deduce is common for evil characters. When Joe killed Duncan he was afraid of his deed; however, Ella embraced it, and stabbed Duncan again to cover up any evidence at the crime scene. Brozel had Ella deliver her lines in a menacing voicing, dark scene, and with a close up of her face showing how pleased she was with herself. This made her look absolutely wicked! She then goes and convinces Joe that it had be done and all was okay by saying, “a little water and we’ll be all clean”—as if taking a man’s life was an everyday thing.

Ella is also takes a shower in blood, symbolic for her bathing in her victims’ life. Ella however had passes her evil fire to Joe before. Joe then went and had Billy and Peter’s family murdered. You can tell Joe is evil by his facial expressions and the fact that he is being displayed in close up very often. We know that Joe is completely evil when he says he has no remorse after Ella’s after death. It was interesting to see Ella be the heart of the evil. For example the Orson Welles’ production has her susceptible and afraid of the dark forces. Having her play a strong role worked because she clashes with Joe, making their relationship’s downfall more dramatic. The camera angles and effects really help get messages across but it would not be possible without the actors’ performances.

This film had a different perspective on some main themes from Macbeth: marriage relationship, what is evil, why do people commit certain deeds, etc. Some actors really stepped up and made their character come to life, others however fell short. Keeley Hawes did an outstanding job in portraying a domineering yet vulnerable woman who goes mad after aiding in murder and losing the love of her life to his ambition for power. Her best scene was her death scene. We first see her getting ready for work, looking very put-together; in the foil scene she puts on the lipstick as before but then smears it all over her face. It is symbolic of how she is tired of putting on a mask and pretending nothing happened. You can literally see terror in her eyes.

As she climbs on to the ledge—washing her hands to rid herself of the guilt—she seems like she’s in a trance. Finally after calling for Joe, she realizes that it is too late and no one can help her so she blissfully falls to her death. However, not everything was this enjoyable. I felt that Richard Armitage did a terrible job of portraying Peter Macduff. When he sees that Duncan has died he looks more disgusted than shocked which really takes away from that scene. His most dramatic moment is when he finds out his family has been murdered, and he looked like someone had stolen his bike forcing him walk home. Unfortunately, sitting on the floor, covering your face with your hands does not qualify as mourning the death of everyone you ever loved. I also feel that the garbage men had no real purpose in the movie. Although they represented the witches they didn’t seem mysterious or supernatural, just awkward and out of place. Their only purpose was to tell the future which could have just as easily been done by using fortune teller stand and getting a card.

Brozel’s “Shakespeare Retold: Macbeth” is an engaging film but not one for the fanatics. This production lacks the “je ne sais quoi” of a truly great Shakespearian performance, not to mention half of its most important scenes. The cinematic aspects it would be pleasing to a filmmaker but for the average person the intense plot may be a bit overwhelming. Regardless, it is a good choice if you are looking for a way to kill two hours.