Macbeth by Justin Kurzel

Michael Fassbender as Macbeth © 2015 StudioCanal

Everybody knows that Shakespeare and cinema are good friends, to the point that sometimes Shakespeare's plays appear to have been written for the big screen and not only for the Elizabethan theater. An unexpected link which has inspired many directors, like Kurosawa, Orson Welles, Polanski, Kenneth Branagh.

Recently, a new version of Macbeth, directed by Australian Justin Kurzel, has been released in many countries, including Italy. Kurzel is extremely faithful to the story and to the text, bringing Shakespeare’s language in the wild views of a Scotland ravaged by war.

Macbeth is a valiant and honest captain, until the day he and his friend Banquo meet three witches, who predict that Macbeth will become king, and Banquo will be father of kings. Corrupted by his ambition and pushed by his wife, Lady Macbeth (Marion Cotillard), he kills the king, making the prophecy come true. But maintaining the power means more blood, including Banquo's, and the guilt will eventually drive them to madness and ruin

Marion Cotillard and Michael Fassbender as Lady Macbeth and Macbeth © 2015 StudioCanal

The focus point of this movie is a strong realism: mud and blood soil the face of Michael Fassbender, in the role of Macbeth, representing clearly the corruption of his soul. Since the first and impressive shot, the movie is marked by the ideas of death and futility of any human effort.

The photography, directed by Adam Arkapaw, who has already worked with Kurzel, is crucial to express these ideas. A precise game of lights and shadows characterizes every scene, reaching points of strong visual effect.

Michael Fassbender as Macbeth © 2015 Studio Canal

Another important element is an incessant and deep soundtrack, able to convey the growing sense of alienation of the two main characters.

However, Kurzel gives photography and soundtrack extreme importance, as these elements are too accentuated. This fact has two negative results: on the one hand, it puts the spectator's attention and sensitivity under too much stress; on the other hand, actors' words and performances are overshadowed and lose their strength.

If the main value of Shakespeare’s language rests in its capacity to inflame our imagination, the main flaw of this movie is that it fills the spectator's eyes and ears with a never-ending succession of sounds and images, leaving no room for his own imagination.

Director: Justin Kurzel

Screenplay: Jacob Koskoff, Michael Lesslie, Todd Louiso (based on the play by William Shakespeare).

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Paddy Considine, David Thewlis, Jack Reynor, Kayla Fallon, Lynn Kennedy, Seylan Baxter.

Year: 2015.

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