Reviewed by Libby Drake, Wednesday 21st June 2017.
Sex, injustice, blood and revenge, Lady Macbeth has it all, along with a spectacular cat. This powerful and enthralling film is a 'must see'.
The film is an adaptation of the Russian novel, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, by Nikolai Leskov. Set in the 19th century, Katherine lives in a large house on a bleak and windy estate in the north of England. She was bought, along with the land, for the man who is now her husband. Katherine is cruelly and coldly treated by both her husband and her father-in-law, in fact, her husband seems no more interested in the marriage than she is. In turn, Katherine finds someone in a worse position than herself, and often treats her black maid, Anna, callously. The monotony of Katherine's life suddenly changes when she meets the new groomsman, Sebastian, and they begin a steamy and passionate affair. The liaison brings Katherine's defiant and independent traits to the fore as she decides that she will no longer be the oppressed chattel of father and son. She unleashes a powerful force from within.
Twenty-one year old Florence Pugh is mesmerising as Katherine. This is only her second feature film and it's a powerhouse of a performance. She can make us hold our breath with just one look. She is hilarious in the scene where she has had too much to drink, hilarious and frightening. Her initial ill-treatment ensures that we are with her, but how far can she go before we think she has gone too far? This point will be different for everyone, so you will have to judge for yourself.
Sebastian (Cosmo Jarvis) is the lover, a cocky, self-confident man who takes what he wants. After his first encounter with Katherine he soon finds himself, perhaps for the first time, in a situation that is out of his control. He should have remembered to be careful what he wished for.
Naomi Ackie delivers a highly accomplished performance as Anna. As the maid, Anna is the bottom of the hierarchy and the key witness to all the events in the household. Her face reveals her thoughts and reactions and, in many ways, she plays the role of conscience for the audience. Paul Hilton and Christopher Fairbank, as Katherine's husband and father-in-law, are both excellent, conveying fear, darkness, and even evoking pity. The magnificent apricot coloured cat creates unexpected humour.
With a background in theatre direction, this is director William Oldroyd's first feature film, an incredible accomplishment. The film was shot in sequence, allowing the actors to build their characters scene by scene, reacting to events as they unfold.
Lady Macbeth is, in all respects, a brilliant piece of film-making. The camera is a key component in conveying the mood. Sometimes it is very still, creating both calmness and suspense. At other times it is hand-held to create movement and a sense of urgency or adventure. The editing is expert throughout and is used to create the biggest shock moment in the film, eliciting gasps from the audience. The lighting and cinematography create breathtaking images. The costumes are stunning. There is no intrusive music, which can so often destroy a movie. Instead, the sounds are allowed to tell their own stories.
Lady Macbeth is a highly charged, powerful, and atmospheric film with a stunning lead performance. See it now, as it is sure to be nominated for numerous awards.
