The Tragedy of Macbeth

 

The Tragedy of Macbeth (Apple +)

There have been several productions of Macbeth in theaters and films. Joel Coen’s Macbeth is unique. His black and white interpretation uses minimalist sets with long shadows forecasting a tragic drama. His sets are more like theater rather than film.

Denzel Washington is Macbeth; his performance is masterful. He transforms Macbeth from an ambitious traitor to a paranoid monarch who’s decent into madness is complete. Washington uses his decades of acting culminating into this bravo performance. Frances McDormand’s nonverbal performance is as forceful as her dialogue. She is the cunning wife who eggs on Macbeth to his murderous deeds. Brendan Gleeson is King Duncan with only a brief performance before death cuts him short. The entire cast is stellar.

An outstanding performance is given by Kathryn Hunter as the witch (she plays all three witches). She is described as a virtuoso physical performer. As the witch she transforms  herself from a knotted soothsayer into the three witches. She uses her deep guttural voice to make her prophecies. Her acting is enough reason to see this film.

For many of us reading Macbeth was a required part of the curriculum. This Macbeth is optional.

 

Nomadland (Hulu)

 

Nomadland (Hulu)

This is a melancholic, if not at times a depressing movie. Frances McDormand gives a powerful nuanced performance as Fran. In Fargo she was resilient. In Three Billboards she was fierce. Here she is resolute in surviving tragedies late in life. After losing her job in a gypsum factory and her husband to cancer she sells her belongings and goes on the road.

She is not off the grid but is neither fully plugged in. She lives in a converted van and stays at  RV camp sites. There is a tribe of nomads traveling the roads and have a loose affiliation. She survives on minimal social security benefits and finds odd jobs working as a seasonal worker at an Amazon fulfillment center, an attendant at a state park and flipping burgers. When she is offered the hospitality to reside in a comfortable house she declines. The question of whether  she needs to be on the road or she wants to be on the road is equivocal. She says she is not homeless but does not have a house.

She is stoic and endures hardships of the road but also its pleasures. When she visits the Redwood Forest or  the Badlands it is it is the expression on her face that conveys her joy. She is a consummate actor. The film uses real life nomads; Linda May, Swankie and Bob Wells. They befriend Fran and give her survival tips. She is encouraged by their journeys and inspired by their love of the road. They convey authenticity to the film.

The other actor of note is the veteran actor David Strathairn who is a fellow nomad. His character is  subdued and the years on the road wear on him. His awkward attempts to start a relationship with Fran are blocked by her noncommittal position.

The film is shot in some beautiful and somber locations. The vastness of some of the locations convey the solitude of the open road.

This film has received numerous accolades and a 95% from Rotten Tomatoes. Frances McDormand has been nominated for best actress for the 2021 Golden Globes, which she richly deserves.

 

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

 Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

The fiercest creature in the animal kingdom is a mother, meet Mildred Hayes. Mildred, played by Frances McDormand, is the fearless iron-willed mother whose daughter was raped, murdered and set on fire. The frustrating fruitless efforts by the local police inspire her to rent three billboards to write embarrassing remarks to egg on the police. The film is called a dark comedy; it tilts more to the dark. This film has many levels and the characters are complicated. The ensemble is terrific and deliver high caliber performances. When awards are given out they will be competing amongst themselves.

McDormand is a tour de force. Her steely determination seeking results is unstoppable. Putting up insulting billboards is the least of what she does for revenge. In a one and half hour movie she smiles once. This role is the antheses of the folky laid back character she won the academy award for Fargo.

 

Woody Harrelson is Chief Willoughby the target of Mildred’s ire. This is a bit of an unusual role for Harrelson who usually plays tough guys (True Detective, Natural Born Killers). He is frustrated and compassionate with Mildred. His role is brief, but it helps to frame the movie. He is a counter point to Mildred’s angst.

Sam Rockwell is phenomenal. He nearly steals all the lime light. He plays a red neck bigoted deputy who uses brutality first and doesn’t even ask questions later. During the movie he goes through a metamorphosis driving a critical part of the movie. If there is an awards contest it will be between Rockwell and McDormand.

Just a short comment on Peter Dinklage. He does not have a big role, but his character brings needed humanity. (I know I will burn in hell).

The ending was unique.

Thank God, we are nearing awards season and the studios are bringing out their serious films. Get a front seat and see this movie.