Macbeth (2015)

Having studied Macbeth in A level Literature, I already knew the story relatively well, and it holds its place as my favourite Shakespeare play (out of those that I've read, at least). I was pretty excited when I heard about the film, and hoped it would live up to expectations. What I like most about Macbeth is the feeling of unease that is strong throughout the play, and I was hoping the film would manage to get this across. 

Justin Kurzel was given the daunting task of directing one of the most famous plays in history. Having only directed a handful of films, and not being known for any particularly big productions, Kurzel seemed like a strange choice, but it's safe to say he was definitely the right one. 

I was pleased to learn fairly soon into the film that the script was very true to the original. Although for some people this meant that the storyline was difficult to follow amongst the riddles of Shakespearian language devices. A major plot line is missed if you're confused by what the weird sisters mean by 'no man born of woman can harm Macbeth', and even if that is understood, it can be easily missed that Macduff was 'from his mother's womb untimely ripped', meaning that he was born via a caesarean, and therefore can in fact harm Macbeth; this is all stuff that is easily overlooked by someone who is new to the play. 

There were some minor changes in the plot,such as there not being three weird sisters, but in fact five, including a child and a baby. At the very beginning of the film, the opening scene also depicts what is shown to be a funeral for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's baby. In the original play, Lady Macbeth hints to having previously given birth, but this is left ambiguous. Kurzel decides however to allow Macbeth and his wife to have once had a child; it is not obvious why he chooses to do so, but I can imagine he might have used this as a device to juxtapose the tender love shown towards the dead child, with the apathy and cruelty that is later  displayed. I don't think the child's funeral at the beginning added a whole lot to the film, and I found myself almost wanting Kurzel to push the boundaries further and experiment more with the play. Kurzel made a wise choice to not stray too far though; Shakespeare is adored globally, and I can imagine the horror on peoples' faces if they were to watch a version in which things are dramatically altered. 

The music was without doubt one of the best elements of the film, creating tension and unease in all the right places, and bringing to the screen the Macbeth that I envisioned while reading the play. Michael fassbender's performance as Macbeth was magnificent, truly portraying a man who begins to almost decay from power and greed. Marion Cotillard likewise played an impressive Lady Macbeth. However, the mental state of her character seems to be played down in the film compared to the play. While this only adds to the hegemonic view of women as mentally fragile, I believe Lady Macbeth's madness to be at the very core of what the play is about, and with Kurzel only showing a glimpse, this was one instance in which I felt the film was lacking something. 

The cinematography throughout the film was captivating, but actually the most impressive and artistic shots for me came as the credits rolled down the screen. After the film ends with birnam wood in flames, these flames continue into the credits as each shot of the desolate scottish hills are drenched in a beautiful red aura, resulting in an ending which is alluring and unsettling, both of which seem to summarise Macbeth itself. 

7.7/10