118. Macbeth; movie review

MACBETH
Cert 15
121 mins
BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong sex

Shakespeare must be the most adapted writer in history - his work has been translated into myriad modern scenarios and different languages for hundreds of years.
But this is the first time Macbeth, arguably his most famous drama, has been performed in front of a green screen.
Kit Monkman's film was created in collaboration with the University of York and Goldfinch Studios.
It has a theatrical feel while at the same time having both powerful battle-field and castle backdrops and movement up down and around what appears to be a multi-layered stage.
I have admitted before than I am no expert with regard to the theatre or the Bard so I cannot effectively compare this 'performance' of Macbeth with others.
And I found that if I hadn't have been loosely aware of the plot, I might have been a tad lost among the lush language.
Mark Rowley takes the title role of the feted warrior whose greed for power is fed by his ambitious wife (Akiya Henry).
Thus, despite his better nature, he sets himself against King Duncan (David Bark-Jones) only to find that his treachery breeds paranoia.
Rowley certainly oozes emotion but seemed rather too slight to be such a powerhouse. The role felt as though it needed a cross between Derek Jacobi and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.
Anyway, I admired the manner in which not only he but others in the case seemed to combine anger with the uncanny ability to shed a tear at will.
I found Monkman's movie dense in its early stages because of the Shakespearean dialogue but, by its second half, it had lured me in.
Indeed, I was on edge wondering what mad Macbeth would do next.
If the intention is that it should look like a theatre piece with impressive special effects then it succeeds, but it is meant to look like a movie, it doesn't.

Reasons to watch: A whole new take on Shakespeare production
Reasons to avoid: If you are hoping to watch a film rather than a theatre piece

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: Yes
Overall rating: 7/10

Director quote - Kit Monkman: "“Macbeth is a play that’s fascinated by interiority and imagination and Shakespeare’s storytelling is far from naturalistic so this seemed like an ideal opportunity to explore a more abstract theatrical approach to the screen.”

The big question - How many more times can Shakespeare be re-invented?

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