The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021 film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Tragedy of Macbeth
A king's head lies on top of a bloody sword.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoel Coen
Screenplay byJoel Coen
Based onMacbeth
by William Shakespeare
Produced by
  • Joel Coen
  • Frances McDormand
  • Robert Graf
Starring
  • Denzel Washington
  • Frances McDormand
  • Bertie Carvel
  • Alex Hassell
  • Corey Hawkins
  • Harry Melling
  • Brendan Gleeson
CinematographyBruno Delbonnel
Edited by
  • Lucian Johnston
  • Reginald Jaynes
Music byCarter Burwell
Production
companies
  • A24
  • IAC Films
Distributed by
Release dates
  • September 24, 2021 (2021-09-24) (NYFF)
  • December 25, 2021 (2021-12-25) (United States)
Running time
105 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Tragedy of Macbeth is a 2021 American historical thriller film written and directed by Joel Coen and based on the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. It is the first film directed by one of the Coen brothers without the other's involvement. The film stars Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand (who also produced the film), Bertie Carvel, Alex Hassell, Corey Hawkins, Harry Melling, Kathryn Hunter, and Brendan Gleeson.

The Tragedy of Macbeth had its world premiere at the 2021 New York Film Festival on September 24, 2021. It had a limited theatrical release on December 25, 2021, by A24, and is streaming on Apple TV+ as of January 14, 2022. The film received critical acclaim for its direction, cinematography, and the performances of Washington, McDormand, and Hunter.

Plot[]

Macbeth and Banquo, having led King Duncan's army to victory over the traitorous Thane of Cawdor, are approached by three witches on the battlefield. The witches hail Macbeth will be made the Thane of Cawdor (he is already Thane of Glamis); they proclaim that he shall be King hereafter before stating that Banquo shall father a line of kings. King Duncan orders the Thane of Ross to execute Cawdor and reinvest the title upon Macbeth.

Macbeth becomes alarmed after Duncan names his son Malcolm as the prince of Cumberland, seeing the appointment as an encumbrance in his path to the throne. Macbeth writes to Lady Macbeth, informing her of the prophecies.

When Duncan decides to spend a night at Macbeth's castle, Lady Macbeth convinces her husband to commit regicide. She drugs the King's servants, and a hesitant Macbeth carries out the killing. Early next morning, Macduff, the Thane of Fife, discovers the body, while Macbeth murders the servants to tie up loose ends. Fearing for his own life, Duncan's heir Malcolm flees to England, and Macbeth assumes the throne as the new King. Uneasy over the prophecy concerning Banquo, Macbeth arranges to have him and his son Fleance murdered. Macbeth's assassins, accompanied by Ross as the Third Murderer, kill Banquo. Ross then pursues Fleance through a field.

An increasingly paranoid Macbeth becomes a feared tyrant. At a royal banquet, he hallucinates and begins raving at Banquo's ghost. Lady Macbeth has the guests dismissed before drugging him to calm him down. During his trance, Macbeth is again visited by the witches. They conjure a vision of Fleance, who tells him to beware of Macduff, that he shall be King until Great Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill, and that he shall be harmed by no man born of a woman. Macbeth orders the whole Macduff household be put to death, but Macduff himself survives, having earlier fled to England.

A guilt-ridden Lady Macbeth begins sleepwalking and gradually descends into madness. Ross secretly visits England and informs Macduff of his family's demise. A grief-stricken Macduff vows revenge, while Malcolm raises an army with English help. The troops cut down branches from Birnam Wood, using them as camouflage, and march on Macbeth's castle at Dunsinane, fulfilling one of the prophecies. Lady Macbeth dies, plunging Macbeth into further despair. Still convinced of his invincibility, he is ultimately challenged by Macduff to a duel. Macduff declares he is not born of a woman but instead "untimely ripped". Macbeth initially refuses but ultimately accepts Macduff’s challenge. Macduff bests Macbeth and beheads him, fulfilling the final prophecy. Malcolm is crowned the new King of Scotland. Meanwhile, Fleance is revealed to be alive, and Ross spirits him away from Scotland.

Cast[]

  • Denzel Washington as Lord Macbeth
  • Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth
  • Alex Hassell as Ross
  • Bertie Carvel as Banquo
  • Corey Hawkins as Macduff
  • Harry Melling as Malcolm, Duncan's older son
  • Kathryn Hunter as the Witches / Old Man
  • Brendan Gleeson as King Duncan
  • Miles Anderson as Lennox
  • Matt Helm as Donalbain, Duncan's younger son
  • Moses Ingram as Lady Macduff
  • Ethan Hutchinson as Macduff's son
  • Scott Subiono and Brian Thompson as the Murderers
  • Lucas Barker as Fleance, Banquo's son
  • Stephen Root as the Porter
  • Robert Gilbert as Angus
  • James Udom as Seyton
  • Richard Short as Siward, English general
  • Sean Patrick Thomas as Monteith
  • Ralph Ineson as the Captain
  • Jefferson Mays as the Doctor
  • Susan Berger as Lady in Waiting
  • Nancy Daly as Nurse
  • Wayne T. Carr as Lady Macduff's murderer

Production[]

The Tragedy of Macbeth is the first film created by Joel Coen without any involvement from his brother Ethan.

It was announced in March 2019 that Joel Coen, in a rare solo effort, was set to write and direct a new take on the William Shakespeare play. Scott Rudin was originally set to produce, and A24 would distribute.[2] Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand were set to star in the film.[when?][2] In November, Brendan Gleeson and Corey Hawkins entered negotiations to join the cast.[citation needed] Both were confirmed in January 2020, along with the addition of Moses Ingram, Harry Melling and Ralph Ineson to the cast.[3]

Filming began in Los Angeles with cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel on February 7, 2020.[4][5][6] To give the film a look "untethered from reality", it was shot entirely on sound stages.[7] In April, Coen announced that the film would officially be titled The Tragedy of Macbeth.[8] It was announced on March 26, 2020, that filming had been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] Production resumed on July 23, 2020,[10] and concluded on July 31, 2020.[11] The film was shot in black-and-white.[12] In April 2021, Rudin stepped down as producer following allegations of abuse.[13]

The film's score was composed by Carter Burwell, the Coen brothers' longtime collaborator.[7] The score’s ominous tone is punctuated by moments of solo violin described by Burwell as “taking flight out of the darkness.” Helping the composer to channel the idea of a folk-style sound from unknown lands was award-winning violinist Tim Fain.[14] Regarding Joel directing alone without Ethan, Burwell stated, "Ethan didn't want to make movies anymore. He seems to be happy with what he's just doing. They both have tons of unproduced scripts sitting on shelves, but I don't know what Joel will do without him."[15]

Release[]

The film was theatrically released by A24 followed by global launch on Apple TV+.[16] It had its world premiere at the 2021 New York Film Festival on September 24, 2021.[17] It was released in a limited release on December 25, 2021, prior to streaming on Apple TV+ on January 14, 2022.[18] It also closed the London Film Festival.

Reception[]

Critical response[]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 93% of 243 reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.2/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Led by a stellar Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth strips the classic story down to its visual and narrative essentials."[19] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 87 out of 100 based on 49 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[20]

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian wrote: "The movie hits its stride immediately with a taut, athletic urgency and it contains some superb images – particularly the eerie miracle of Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane, with Malcolm’s soldiers holding tree-branches over their heads in a restricted forest path and turning themselves into a spectacular river of boughs."[21] Alison Willmore of Vulture wrote: "While The Tragedy of Macbeth is Joel Coen’s first solo directing effort … that aspect of their long collaboration remains steady. Macbeth becomes, like so many of the Coens’ protagonists, a character trapped in his own fixations and failings, the concave world onscreen a reflection of the self he can't escape."[22] Dave Calhoun of Time Out wrote that it was "stage-bound in all the right ways, reminiscent of a much earlier cinema, when filmmakers barely stepped outdoors and wielded magic with shadow and light on soundstages. It’s short, sharp and savage."[23] Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph wrote that it "has simmered its source text long and low, leeching every last drop of pungency and savour from the carcass", and added that it "resonates with the ancient power of a ritual."[24] Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent found Coen's symbolism to be "a literal manifestation of the avian imagery Shakespeare summons in his play... a hallmark of the films he made with his brother Ethan – each of them rich, puzzle box films that use every element of composition and mood to whisper their true meaning to their audience."[25]

Richard Brody of The New Yorker gave the film a generally negative review, stating that "Coen’s straining for seriousness and yearning for importance breaks through to the other side with the howlers of unintentional comedy ... Coen’s stripped-down adaptation sets out to normalize Shakespearean language, but he ends up going too far".[26]

Accolades[]

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
AACTA Awards January 26, 2022 Best Lead Actor – International Denzel Washington Pending [27]
American Film Institute Awards January 7, 2022 Top 10 Movies of the Year The Tragedy of Macbeth Won [28]
American Society of Cinematographers Awards March 20, 2022 Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases Bruno Delbonnel Pending [29]
Austin Film Critics Association January 11, 2022 Best Actor Denzel Washington Pending [30]
Best Supporting Actress Kathryn Hunter Pending
Best Cinematography Bruno Delbonnel Pending
Chicago Film Critics Association December 15, 2021 Best Cinematography Nominated [31]
British Academy Film Awards March 13, 2022 Best Cinematography Bruno Delbonnel Pending [32]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards March 13, 2022 Best Actor Denzel Washington Pending
Best Cinematography Bruno Delbonnel Pending
Golden Globe Awards January 9, 2022 Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Denzel Washington Nominated [33][34]
Houston Film Critics Society January 5, 2022 Best Picture The Tragedy of Macbeth Pending [35]
Best Actor Denzel Washington Pending
Best Cinematography Bruno Delbonnel Pending
National Board of Review December 3, 2021 Top Ten Films The Tragedy of Macbeth Won [36]
Best Adapted Screenplay Joel Coen Won
Best Cinematography Bruno Delbonnel Won
New York Film Critics Circle December 3, 2021 Best Supporting Actress Kathryn Hunter Won [37]
Satellite Awards January 5, 2022 Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Denzel Washington Pending [38]
Best Adapted Screenplay Joel Coen Pending
Best Cinematography Bruno Delbonnel Pending
Best Art Direction and Production Design Stefan Dechant Pending
Screen Actors Guild Awards February 27, 2022 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Denzel Washington Pending [39]
Visual Effects Society Awards March 8, 2022 Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature Alex Lemke, Michael Huber, Michael Ralla, Benedikt Laubenthal Pending [40]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards December 6, 2021 Best Actor Denzel Washington Nominated [41][42]
Best Cinematography Bruno Delbonnel Nominated

References[]

  1. ^ "The Tragedy of Macbeth (15)". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 28, 2019). "Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Joel Coen Teaming For 'Macbeth' Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  3. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (January 31, 2020). "Joel Coen's 'Macbeth' With Denzel Washington & Frances McDormand Readies For Shoot, 'Buster Scruggs' Actor Harry Melling Latest To Join". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 31, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  4. ^ Kroll, Justin (March 28, 2019). "Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand to Star in Joel Coen's 'Macbeth'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  5. ^ "Macbeth Production Listing". Backstage. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  6. ^ Fisher, Jacob (October 2, 2019). "A24's 'Macbeth' Eyeing To Begin Filming In Early February (EXCLUSIVE)". DiscussingFilm. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Lattanzio, Ryan (June 27, 2020). "Carter Burwell Remembers the 'No Country for Old Men' Score That Never Was". IndieWire. Archived from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  8. ^ Sharf, Zack (April 13, 2020). "Joel Coen Teases His McDormand-Washington 'Macbeth' Film as 'Ticking-Clock' Thriller". IndieWire. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  9. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 26, 2020). "Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Joel Coen A24 'Macbeth' Movie On Hiatus". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 1, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  10. ^ Hassell, Alex (July 23, 2020). "Back to work. #thetragedyofmacbeth #joelcoen #denzelwashington #francismcdormand #alexhassell #losangeles #holyshit". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  11. ^ "Our Local 724 Brothers wrapping up the movie "The Tragedy of MacBeth" at Warner Brothers Studio Lot". Instagram. July 31, 2020. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  12. ^ Lopez, Kristen (January 16, 2021). "Joel Coen Shot 'The Tragedy of Macbeth' Entirely in Black and White". IndieWire. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  13. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (April 20, 2021). "Scott Rudin Steps Back From Upcoming Jennifer Lawrence, Denzel Washington Films". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  14. ^ Grobar, Matt (January 13, 2022). "Composer Carter Burwell Taps Into Darkly Human Sound With Oscar-Shortlisted Score For 'The Tragedy Of Macbeth' – Hear An Exclusive Track". Deadline. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  15. ^ "Coen Brothers Composer Carter Burwell Says Ethan 'Didn't Want to Make Movies Anymore'". TheWrap. August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  16. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 12, 2021). "Apple Original Films & A24 Partner On Awards Season Joel Coen-Directed Frances McDormand-Denzel Washington Drama 'The Tragedy Of Macbeth'". Deadline. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  17. ^ Hayes, Dade (July 22, 2021). "New York Film Festival To Open With Joel Coen's 'The Tragedy Of Macbeth' In Return To In-Person Lincoln Center Mode". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  18. ^ Complex, Valerie (September 21, 2021). "'The Tragedy Of Macbeth' Teaser: Denzel Washington & Frances McDormand Take On Iconic Shakespeare Duo In Joel Coen Film". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  19. ^ "The Tragedy of Macbeth". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  20. ^ "The Tragedy of Macbeth". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  21. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (September 24, 2021). "The Tragedy of Macbeth review – McDormand and Washington deliver noirish nightmare". The Guardian. Retrieved September 30, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ Willmore, Alison (September 27, 2021). "The Tragedy of Macbeth Is Basically One Phenomenal Denzel Washington Performance". Vulture. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  23. ^ Calhoun, Dave (September 25, 2021). "Review: Joel Coen's bloody and ravishing 'The Tragedy of Macbeth'". Time Out. Retrieved September 30, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ Collin, Robbie (September 24, 2021). "The Tragedy of Macbeth, review: Denzel Washington's tortured king crowns a movie to die for". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  25. ^ Loughrey, Clarisse (December 23, 2021). "Joel Coen keeps with tradition in The Tragedy of Macbeth – review". The Independent. Retrieved January 3, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ Brody, Richard (December 25, 2021). ""The Tragedy of Macbeth," Reviewed: Joel Coen's Sanitized Shakespeare". The New Yorker. Retrieved January 15, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ^ Matt, Neglia (December 17, 2021). "The 2021 Australian Academy Of Cinema & Television Arts (AACTA) International Awards Nominations". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  28. ^ "National Board of Review Winners 2021: 'Licorice Pizza' Takes Best Picture and Best Director". American Film Institute. December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  29. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (January 25, 2022). "'Dune,' 'The Power of the Dog' Among American Society of Cinematographers Award Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  30. ^ Partridge, Jon. "2021 Austin Film Critics Association Award Nominations". Austin Film Critics Association. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  31. ^ "THE POWER OF THE DOG LEADS CHICAGO FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION 2021 AWARDS, WINS SEVEN HONORS". Chicago Film Critics Association. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  32. ^ Ritman, Alex (February 3, 2022). "BAFTA Awards Nominations: Dune Leads Pack in Diverse List Full of Surprises". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  33. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (October 15, 2021). "Golden Globe Awards Set for Jan. 9 as Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. Unveils 2022 Calendar". Variety. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  34. ^ Golden Globe Nominations: 'Licorice Pizza,' 'Squid Game,' 'West Side Story,' and More|IndieWire
  35. ^ Darling, Cary. "'The Power of the Dog' takes a bite out of Houston Film Critics Society's nominations". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  36. ^ Sharf, Zack (December 2, 2021). "National Board of Review Winners 2021: 'Licorice Pizza' Takes Best Picture and Best Director". IndieWire. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  37. ^ Hipes, Patrick (December 3, 2021). "'Drive My Car' Named Best Film By New York Film Critics Circle; Benedict Cumberbatch, Lady Gaga, 'West Side Story', 'Licorice Pizza' Take Other Prizes – Complete Winners List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  38. ^ Anderson, Erik (December 1, 2021). "'Belfast,' 'The Power of the Dog' lead 26th Satellite Awards nominations". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  39. ^ Lewis, Hilary; Coates, Tyler (January 12, 2022). "SAG Awards: 'House of Gucci,' 'The Power of The Dog' Lead Film Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  40. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (January 18, 2022). "'Dune' and 'Encanto' Lead Visual Effects Society Nominations". Variety. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  41. ^ Anderson, Erik (December 4, 2021). "Washington DC Critics: 'Belfast,' 'The Power of the Dog' lead nominations". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  42. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 6, 2021). "The 2021 Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA) Winners". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 6, 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""