Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Geoffrey Wright's MACBETH

Oh. Dear. Me.

How do you spell 'inept film-making'?

M.A.C.B.E.T.H.

Geoffrey Romper Stomper Wright's new feature is a badly-directed, badly acted film that simultaneously manages to blacken the names of several good actors (take a bow, Sam Worthington, pictured left) and that of the Australian film industry. No mean feat, although while watching it, and afterwards, at the Docklands after-party to which we were bussed from South Yarra's Jam Factory red carpet premiere, Mike and I had to keep reminding ourselves that at least it wasn't as bad as The Book of Revelation.

Contemporisation of Shakespeare, when it works, works well, as evidenced by the likes of Richard Loncraine's Richard III (starring Sir Ian McKellen as the villainous king) and obviously, Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, which stripped the play back to its bare bones, and was successful as a result.

This update, which sees the film set in the milleu of Melbourne's modern underworld, fails on countless levels.

It lacks drama, pathos, tension and well-developed characters. Too many scenes are mishandled, such as a painful, slow-motion fight scene towards the film's climax, which smacks more than anything of a director who was unsure how to handle action.

The majority of actors (even the deliciously handsome Sam) fail to impress in their roles, either too bland, or allowed too much room to toss in jarring throw-away lines that distract from Shakespeare's text. Too few of them bring anything resembling gravitas to their roles, and some of the pivotal soliliquies are either cut, delivered as voice-overs (as if Wright lacked courage in the idea of characters speaking direct to camera - but it's Shakespeare for God's sake, what else are they supposed to do?) or delivered too abruptly.

The tragedy of Macbeth - compelled to murder in order to maintain his position yet hating himself for doing so - is never really explored. Lady Macbeth's character is equally underexplored.

Elsewhere details are laboured and ham-fisted, and scenes are rushed and contrived. The appearence of the witches (presented as irritating school girls in uniform, who for some reason hiss at the camera as if they were characters in a 1930's B-grade vampire movie) is just one of many details which totally fails to engage in this dreadful and dreary production.

That said, there are some positives: the lighting, for instance, and Gary Swwet as King Duncan, but they are few and far between.

In summary: avoid at all costs - unless you're offered free tickets.

Oh, and the quality of the opening night after-party was a significant step down from that for The Book of Revelation in case you were wondering - cheap grog which ran out way too soon, a DJ who seemed intent on mixing in as much Portishead as he possibly could, and not enough nibbles.

Tomorrow night brings the launch of The Age 2006 Melbourne Fringe Festival - at least that, I know, will be good!

10 comments:

Glenn Dunks said...

aww, I really liked Macbeth. I responded to it's bravura, I think.

The final shootout was a bit oddly done, but it didn't bother me. Lachy Hulme gave a very... odd performance. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was, but something wasn't right.

But, I still really liked it.

mskp said...

SO disappointing. i had high hopes. especially as geoffrey wright seemed to be wasting his talent. sam worthington even made somersault bearable for me, so if he can't save it, nothing can.

bummer.

Adam said...

Thank God for Fringe, I love that guy.

Evol Kween said...

Judging by your last few entries, you haven't had much luck with films n stuff lately. Thanks for the tip, glad I decided against catching Macbeth at the film festival this year.

Rowena said...

It's so depressing, the poor quality of many Australian films. And it's even more depressing that many critics will not admit to this - they seem to be constantly giving mediocre films undeserved praise.

I realise such critics are trying to be supportive of Aussie filmmakers, but I don't think being dishonest does anyone any favours in the end.

Mel said...

Oh, so it's true... KP's extremely unbridled enthusiasm for Sam Worthington almost had me wanting to go...

Anonymous said...

A good year of Oz films generally though.

Suburban Mayhem is worth a look.

Jindabyne is grown up.

Ten Canoes has stuff to chew on.

Candy erm.. stuck oddly in my mind, with some good performances, though G. Rush was unconvincing.

Kenny is a delight.

- barista

TimT said...

Say what you like about the directing and the acting, but I hear the scripting of Macbeth is quite ingenious. I don't know much about him, but apparently this William Shakespeare guy is making quite a name for himself in Australian film circles! Someone to watch out for, I'd say ...

richardwatts said...

Ah Tim, if only Mr S's words were treated with anything resembling comprehension by the inept cast...

RC said...

that new Macbeth seems horrible.