Washington and Coen Dazzle with The Tragedy of Macbeth

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently announced the nominations for 2022. Notably, Denzel Washington earned his seventh Oscar nomination for Best Actor, and ninth overall nomination, for his rousing performance as the titular King of Scotland in The Tragedy of Macbeth. Washington is joined by Spencer Tracy, Paul Newman, and Al Pacino, and are bested only by Laurence Olivier’s ten and Jack Nicholson’s twelve total Oscar nominations. Washington faces serious competition from his fellow nominees in this year’s Best Actor category, all of whom are also previous nominees, but his nomination in particular is  well-deserved.

The movie was directed by master maestro Joel Coen (No Country for Old Men, Fargo), who stages a hypnotic black-and-white adaptation of William Shakespeare’s canonical play. Returning from victory in battle, Macbeth crosses paths with three witches, who address him as the Thane of Cawdor and then a king. Upon becoming Thane of Cawdor, he informs his wife Lady Macbeth (the terrific Frances McDormand, Lady Coen in real life) of the witches’ prediction of his ascension to the throne. Seeking the power they believe is destined to be theirs, Macbeth and his Lady plot treason to claim the throne for themselves. 

The Tragedy of Macbeth is the latest Shakespearean role for Washington, having performed on stage in Richard III and Julius Caesar, and in Kenneth Branagh’s 1990 film adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing. Washington’s manic turn as the possessed Lord Macbeth, consumed by madness in his quest for power, reminds us why he is such a master of his craft. Audiences are witnesses to an iconic thespian performing an iconic work.

The Tragedy of Macbeth marks the first film by Joel Coen without the help of his brother Ethan. Influenced by Expressionism, Coen’s film is presented more like a play with a peculiar, yet elemental set design. This allows for more focus on the film’s many fine performances, including Alex Hassell as Ross, Corey Hawkins as Macduff, and Kathryn Hunter as the witches. Coen reunites with Bruno Debonnel, his cinematographer on The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and Inside Llewyn Davis, who composes stark, spectral imagery with clever use of light and shadow. Shakespeare noir, I’ll call it. Also contributing to the atmosphere is the 1.37:1 aspect ratio, which adds to the tension, gives some of the images more symmetry, and further directs attention to the performances. This is also an callback to the Expressionist films of the silent era. The ominous score by Carter Burwell, another Coen collaborator, rounds out the ghostly production.

The Tragedy of Macbeth is also a classic tale about how the desire for power can be irresistible and devour away at man’s soul. The Macbeths forfeit their honor and give in to the temptation to rule over others. Their ascendency to the throne leaves behind a trail of blood, and with each murder, they descend further into a sinister mania.

The film also reminds us that usurpations of power are a constant threat, regardless of whether the people are subject to a king or to a republic. History is rife with examples like that of the Macbeths, and in many instances, usurpation can happen in more benign ways than war or murder. They can manifest as cumbersome ballot access laws designed to limit choices at the ballot or as an angry mob trying to interrupt the peaceful transfer of power in a constitutional republic.

The Tragedy of Macbeth is one of the best films of 2021, led by the great talents of Denzel Washington and Joel Coen. Thanks to changes in how films are distributed, this dazzling film can be enjoyed at a local arthouse cinema (if you happen to live close to one) or from the comfort of your own home on AppleTV+. Like The Irishman, Mank, and other films in recent years, The Tragedy of Macbeth is a film with an exclusive streaming release that has garnered Oscar nominations and shows that streaming services are serious about providing quality content on their platforms. Let us be thankful for the innovations in the movie market that have put these films at our fingertips. What a time for a film buff to be alive!