The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021 film)

The Tragedy of Macbeth is a 2021 thriller film[2] written and directed by Joel Coen and based on the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. It is the first film directed by one of the Coen brothers without the other's involvement. The film stars Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand (who also produced the film), Bertie Carvel, Alex Hassell, Corey Hawkins, Harry Melling, and Brendan Gleeson.

The Tragedy of Macbeth
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoel Coen
Screenplay byJoel Coen
Based onMacbeth
by William Shakespeare
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBruno Delbonnel
Edited by
Music byCarter Burwell
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release date
  • September 24, 2021 (2021-09-24) (NYFF)
  • December 25, 2021 (2021-12-25) (United States)
Running time
105 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

It had its world premiere at the 2021 New York Film Festival on September 24, 2021.[3] It is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on December 25, 2021, by A24 prior to streaming on Apple TV+ on January 14, 2022. The film received critical acclaim, with major praise for Coen's screenplay and direction, performances of the cast (particularly of Washington's), and its cinematography.

Premise

After being convinced by three witches, a Scottish lord sets out to become the King of Scotland.

Cast

Production

Development

It was announced in March 2019 that Joel Coen, in a rare solo effort, was set to write and direct a new take on the William Shakespeare play. Scott Rudin was originally set to produce, and A24 would distribute.[4]

Casting

Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand were set to star in the film. In November, Brendan Gleeson and Corey Hawkins entered negotiations to join the cast.[5] Both were confirmed in January 2020, along with the addition of Moses Ingram, Harry Melling and Ralph Ineson to the cast.[6][7]

Filming

Entertainment Weekly identified the cinematographer as Bruno Delbonnel, stating that he "frames his shots like a modern-day Fritz Lang, composed for maximum disorienting impact and scale."[8] Filming began in Los Angeles on February 7, 2020.[9][10][11] To give the film a look "untethered from reality", it was shot entirely on sound stages.[12] In April, Coen announced that the film will officially be titled The Tragedy of Macbeth.[13] It was announced on March 26, 2020, that filming had been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] Production resumed on July 23, 2020,[15] and concluded on July 31, 2020.[16] The film was shot in black-and-white.[17] In April 2021, Rudin stepped down as producer following allegations of abuse.[18]

Set design

Leah Greenblatt wrote in Entertainment Weekly that the set designer Stefan Dechant (who had previously designed sets for Alice in Wonderland) "sets the idea of Sir William's [sic] traditional Scottish moors against a kind of surreal Calvinist dream world of screaming birds and sharp geometries".[8]

Costume design

Costume design was done by Mary Zophres and were described by Entertainment Weekly as "fantastic: wools and grommets and leather stitched meticulously together in a mode maybe best described as Luxe Monastic.[8]

Music

The film's score is being composed by Carter Burwell, the Coen brothers' longtime collaborator.[12] Regarding Joel directing alone without Ethan, Burwell stated, "Ethan didn't want to make movies anymore. He seems to be happy with what he's just doing. They both have tons of unproduced scripts sitting on shelves, but I don't know what Joel will do without him."[19]

Release

The film will be theatrically released by A24 followed by global launch on Apple TV+.[20] It had its world premiere at the 2021 New York Film Festival on September 24, 2021.[21] It is scheduled to be released in a limited release on December 25, 2021, prior to streaming on Apple TV+ on January 14, 2022.[22] It is also set to close the London Film Festival.

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 98% based on 57 reviews, with an average rating of 8.60/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Led by a stellar Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth strips the classic story down to its visual and narrative essentials."[23] Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 89 out of 100 based on 19 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[24]

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film a score of 5/5 stars, writing: "The movie hits its stride immediately with a taut, athletic urgency and it contains some superb images – particularly the eerie miracle of Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane, with Malcolm’s soldiers holding tree-branches over their heads in a restricted forest path and turning themselves into a spectacular river of boughs."[25] Alison Willmore of Vulture wrote: "While The Tragedy of Macbeth is Joel Coen’s first solo directing effort … that aspect of their long collaboration remains steady. Macbeth becomes, like so many of the Coens’ protagonists, a character trapped in his own fixations and failings, the concave world onscreen a reflection of the self he can't escape."[26] Dave Calhoun of Time Out gave the film a score of 5/5 stars and wrote that it was "stage-bound in all the right ways, reminiscent of a much earlier cinema, when filmmakers barely stepped outdoors and wielded magic with shadow and light on soundstages. It’s short, sharp and savage."[27] Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph gave the film a score of 5/5 stars, writing that it "has simmered its source text long and low, leeching every last drop of pungency and savour from the carcass", and added that it "resonates with the ancient power of a ritual."[28]

Accolades
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
National Board of Review December 3, 2021 Top Ten Films The Tragedy of Macbeth Won [29]
Best Adapted Screenplay Joel Coen Won
Best Cinematography Bruno Delbonnel Won
New York Film Critics Circle December 3, 2021 Best Supporting Actress Kathryn Hunter Won [30]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards December 6, 2021 Best Actor Denzel Washington Nominated [31][32]
Best Cinematography Bruno Delbonnel Nominated
Satellite Awards January 5, 2022 Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Denzel Washington Pending [33]
Best Adapted Screenplay Joel Coen Pending
Best Cinematography Bruno Delbonnel Pending
Best Art Direction and Production Design Stefan Dechant Pending
American Film Institute Awards January 7, 2022 Top 10 Movies of the Year The Tragedy of Macbeth Won [34]
Golden Globe Awards January 9, 2022 Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Denzel Washington Pending [35][36]
AACTA Awards January 26, 2022 Best Lead Actor – International Pending [37]

References
  1. "59th New York Film Festival Main Slate Announced". New York Film Festival. August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  2. Rooney, David (September 24, 2021). "Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand in Joel Coen's 'The Tragedy of Macbeth': Film Review | NYFF 2021". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  3. Brent Lang, "Joel Coen’s ‘Tragedy of Macbeth’ With Frances McDormand, Denzel Washington Will Open New York Film Festival". Variety, July 22, 2021.
  4. Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 28, 2019). "Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Joel Coen Teaming For 'Macbeth' Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  5. Sneider, Jeff (November 21, 2019). "Exclusive: Corey Hawkins in Talks to Join Denzel Washington in A24's 'Macbeth'". Collider. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  6. Sneider, Jeff (January 15, 2020). "Newcomer Moses Ingram Joins Denzel Washington in Joel Coen's 'Macbeth'". Collider. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  7. Wiseman, Andreas (January 31, 2020). "Joel Coen's 'Macbeth' With Denzel Washington & Frances McDormand Readies For Shoot, 'Buster Scruggs' Actor Harry Melling Latest To Join". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 31, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  8. Leah Grennblatt. Entertainment Weekly. "The Tragedy of Macbeth review: Shakespeare gets a stark, sumptuous update". sept. 25, 2021.
  9. Kroll, Justin (March 28, 2019). "Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand to Star in Joel Coen's 'Macbeth'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  10. "Macbeth Production Listing". Backstage. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  11. Fisher, Jacob (October 2, 2019). "A24's 'Macbeth' Eyeing To Begin Filming In Early February (EXCLUSIVE)". DiscussingFilm. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  12. Lattanzio, Ryan (June 27, 2020). "Carter Burwell Remembers the 'No Country for Old Men' Score That Never Was". IndieWire. Archived from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  13. Sharf, Zack (April 13, 2020). "Joel Coen Teases His McDormand-Washington 'Macbeth' Film as 'Ticking-Clock' Thriller". IndieWire. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  14. D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 26, 2020). "Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Joel Coen A24 'Macbeth' Movie On Hiatus". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 1, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  15. Hassell, Alex (July 23, 2020). "Back to work. #thetragedyofmacbeth #joelcoen #denzelwashington #francismcdormand #alexhassell #losangeles #holyshit". Instagram. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  16. "Our Local 724 Brothers wrapping up the movie "The Tragedy of MacBeth" at Warner Brothers Studio Lot". Instagram. July 31, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  17. Lopez, Kristen (January 16, 2021). "Joel Coen Shot 'The Tragedy of Macbeth' Entirely in Black and White". IndieWire. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  18. Siegel, Tatiana (April 20, 2021). "Scott Rudin Steps Back From Upcoming Jennifer Lawrence, Denzel Washington Films". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  19. "Coen Brothers Composer Carter Burwell Says Ethan 'Didn't Want to Make Movies Anymore'". TheWrap. August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  20. Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 12, 2021). "Apple Original Films & A24 Partner On Awards Season Joel Coen-Directed Frances McDormand-Denzel Washington Drama 'The Tragedy Of Macbeth'". Deadline. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  21. Hayes, Dade (July 22, 2021). "New York Film Festival To Open With Joel Coen's 'The Tragedy Of Macbeth' In Return To In-Person Lincoln Center Mode". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  22. Complex, Valerie (September 21, 2021). "'The Tragedy Of Macbeth' Teaser: Denzel Washington & Frances McDormand Take On Iconic Shakespeare Duo In Joel Coen Film". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  23. "The Tragedy of Macbeth". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  24. "The Tragedy of Macbeth Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  25. Bradshaw, Peter (September 24, 2021). "The Tragedy of Macbeth review – McDormand and Washington deliver noirish nightmare". The Guardian. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
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  27. Calhoun, Dave (September 25, 2021). "Review: Joel Coen's bloody and ravishing 'The Tragedy of Macbeth'". Time Out. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  28. Collin, Robbie (September 24, 2021). "The Tragedy of Macbeth, review: Denzel Washington's tortured king crowns a movie to die for". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  29. Sharf, Zack (December 2, 2021). "National Board of Review Winners 2021: 'Licorice Pizza' Takes Best Picture and Best Director". IndieWire. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  30. Hipes, Patrick (December 3, 2021). "'Drive My Car' Named Best Film By New York Film Critics Circle; Benedict Cumberbatch, Lady Gaga, 'West Side Story', 'Licorice Pizza' Take Other Prizes – Complete Winners List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  31. Anderson, Erik (December 4, 2021). "Washington DC Critics: 'Belfast,' 'The Power of the Dog' lead nominations". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  32. Neglia, Matt (December 6, 2021). "The 2021 Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA) Winners". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
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  34. Film Insitute, American (December 8, 2021). "National Board of Review Winners 2021: 'Licorice Pizza' Takes Best Picture and Best Director". American Film Institute. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  35. Littleton, Cynthia (October 15, 2021). "Golden Globe Awards Set for Jan. 9 as Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. Unveils 2022 Calendar". Variety. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  36. Golden Globe Nominations: 'Licorice Pizza,' 'Squid Game,' 'West Side Story,' and More|IndieWire
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