FEATURE
THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH AUTHOR Monalisa Tailor , MD
A
story known to us all : you may have read it in high school , or you may have seen the incredible Kentucky Shakespeare version of it ( featuring Dr . Yvette Cua ’ s son as Macduff ’ s son ). You have truly never seen Macbeth in this way . Standing at 105 minutes , this is streaming on Apple TV . It ’ s a black and white production directed by Joel Coen ( yes one of those Coens ) and was released on Christmas Day 2021 .
It is definitely not Fargo , O Brother Where Art Thou or Burn After Reading , however , you will see echoes of the Coen style in this movie . This is Joel ’ s first foray into directing a film alone and his array of experience shows . He was definitely inspired by Ingmar Bergman , the renowned Swedish filmmaker from the 1960s . The Tragedy of Macbeth reminded me of Bergman ’ s classic , The Seventh Seal . Echoing Bergman ’ s themes of mortality and loneliness , Coen adds a new spin with the dear Shakespearean character we know .
The Tragedy of Macbeth opens on a beach as the witches who are very reminiscent of “ Death ” from The Seventh Seal approach Macbeth and Banquo . They share their eerie predictions which put the rest of the story on course . The King greets Macbeth and Banquo , and the sweeping landscapes as they move from the beach to the royal camp and then to the forest draw you in . At times , you may even think you are watching a play . The movie ’ s stark black and white truly bring out the change of Macbeth . Initially , he is turned off by Death , and when offered the option to kill the treasonous Thane of Cawdor , he refuses . As he dwells on the premonitions of the witches , his mood changes , and with it the light that shined on
16 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE the character is no more .
Macbeth takes his leave of the camp , and goes to his Lady , to indicate the King will be staying in their home . He discusses with her what the witches said , and his promotion to Thane of Cawdor . When the King arrives , he is in a sweeping foyer , light shining upon him and his entourage . Macbeth watches the scene in darkness as Lady Macbeth greets him . When Macbeth starts to have second thoughts on killing the King , he steps into the light . This changes when Lady Macbeth speaks with him ; as they plot in a corridor , their faces shrouded in shadows , you shiver at what is to come .
When the King falls asleep , Macbeth walks towards his room , visualizing a dagger in front of him , which is actually the door handle . He finds the King asleep until he begins to stab him . The gruesome scene confirms for you that this is a Coen movie . You even hear the blood drip onto the floor . Macbeth ’ s steps leaving the scene set up the soliloquy of Lady Macbeth , and you feel the weight of guilt and remorse that will consume Macbeth and Lady Macbeth .
I will not give the rest of the depiction away but I can sincerely tell you that you will not be disappointed . Denzel Washington , who needs no introduction , plays Macbeth - his cadence in the Shakespeare dialogue is mesmerizing . Frances McDormand as Lady MacBeth embodies all the ambition , remorse and turmoil of her character in every movement and facial expression . You ’ ll recognize many in the cast , from Brendan Gleason to Harry Melling to Corey Hawkins . These are performances with a portrayal of Macbeth that you will soon not forget .
Dr . Tailor is the Executive Medical Director , Primary Care for Norton Medical Group and is a practicing internal medicine physician at Norton Community Medical Associates : Barret .