Before Spider-Man last week, a trailer for this played and the guy behind me said "WHO WOULD SPEND THEIR CHRISTMAS WATCHING THAT!"
It shall be I, good sir!
The first thing that jumps out about this movie is its set design. It evokes Bergman, as well as Shindo and other Japanese masters of the 60s. I love when movie sets borrow theater techniques and this masterfully uses minimalist sets, while keeping the audience engaged through lighting and camera angle choices. It creates a jarring yet immersive world.
While McDormand was born to play Lady Macbeth, Denzel's performance was surprisingly uneven. His Macbeth is quite unengaged and passive. I think this was intentional, but I would have liked to see him struggle more morally, especially in the "Is this a dagger I see before me" monologue.
There is not much that feels traditionally "Coens" about this film, probably as their most distinctive trademarks come in their writing. It is interesting to separate that out from Joel executing someone else's plotline. He does it masterfully.
Merry Christmas you lovely people!
Before Spider-Man last week, a trailer for this played and the guy behind me said "WHO WOULD SPEND THEIR CHRISTMAS WATCHING THAT!"
It shall be I, good sir!
The first thing that jumps out about this movie is its set design. It evokes Bergman, as well as Shindo and other Japanese masters of the 60s. I love when movie sets borrow theater techniques and this masterfully uses minimalist sets, while keeping the audience engaged through lighting and camera angle choices. It creates a jarring yet immersive world.
While McDormand was born to play Lady Macbeth, Denzel's performance was surprisingly uneven. His Macbeth is quite unengaged and passive. I think this was intentional, but I would have liked to see him struggle more morally, especially in the "Is this a dagger I see before me" monologue.
There is not much that feels traditionally "Coens" about this film, probably as their most distinctive trademarks come in their writing. It is interesting to separate that out from Joel executing someone else's plotline. He does it masterfully.
Merry Christmas you lovely people!
