MACBETH

This creative adaptation of Macbeth is certainly "bloody, bold, and resolute".

Patrick Stewart reprises his Broadway role as Macbeth in this modernized and very bloody adaptation of Shakespeare's classic play. This "Scotland" is a Soviet-esque country vaguely set in a WWII era. Macbeth and his wife (the excellent Kate Fleetwood) scheme to take down the ruler Duncan and wrest power. Next thing you know, Macbeth has become a tyrranical ruler, à la Stalin (replete with Stalin-esque portraits) slaying anyone (as well as their children) who may threaten his rule.

I am by no means a Shakespeare scholar, but found it interesting (if sometimes a little baffling) to hear the original language set in a cold, clammy, concrete warren of a building that looked like it stepped out of a psychiatric-ward horror movie (replete with frightening nurses, who are the Oracles). They may speak of swords and blades, but people are killed with pistols and machine guns in this take, as well as the occasional "dagger I see before me".

It is not a cozy and warm setting by any means, and the look of the film reflects that. Director Rupert Goold (who also did the Broadway adaptation), bathes the film in harsh light that is chilling both visually and literally—you can often see the actors' breath in scenes. Water runs down the concrete walls, and lights often flicker off down the long, cold hallways. Blood, which makes a frequent appearance, is a deep, dark, syrupy red, and you don't blame Lady Macbeth for her sleepwalking, hand-washing binges. That blood looks like it stains.

The fine supporting cast includes Scott Handy as Malcolm, who has come to reclaim the power that Macbeth stole by murdering his father, Martin Turner as Banquo, the colleague who was so quickly betrayed by Macbeth, and Kate Fleetwood as a deliciously sinister and sexy Lady Macbeth. Fans of Shakespeare have given this adaptation positive reviews, so I can certainly recommend giving this film a try. If you are not well-versed in the words of The Bard, you will still find this bloody, and frightfully always-releveant story engaging, even if some of the dialogue flies over your head.