Lady Macbeth (2016)

Directed by: William Oldroyd | 89 minutes | drama | Actors: Florence Pugh, Christopher Fairbank, Cosmo Jarvis, Bill Fellows, Naomi Ackie, Paul Hilton, Golda Rosheuvel, Ian Conningham, Fleur Houdijk, Rebecca Manley, Kema Sikazwe, David Kirkbride, Cliff Burnett, Anton Palmer, Joseph Teague, Alan Billingham,

The English crime drama ‘Lady Macbeth’ is a free adaptation of the Russian novel ‘Ledi Makbet Mcenskogo Uezda’, which in turn is inspired by Shakespeare’s classic ‘Macbeth’. That Russian novel previously led to an opera by Dmitri Shostakovich and a film adaptation by Andrei Wajda. In this new adaptation, director William Oldroyd moves the story from 19th-century Russia to Victorian England.

In that Victorian England we met Katherine, a classic beauty who has the misfortune of being ‘sold’ as a bride to an uncouth landowner. In the chilly country house she is weighed down by the yoke of her husband and father-in-law. But when the gentlemen set out on business, Katherine seizes her chance. She sets her eye (and body) on the willing groomsman Sebastian. This goes well for a while, until the scandalous affair reaches the ears of father-in-law and husband. Then it turns out that a true Lady Macbeth is hidden under the aristocratic features of Katherine. Murder and manslaughter is the result.

The fact that this new ‘Lady Macbeth’ produces such a strong film is partly due to the acting of Florence Pugh. Her Katherine is a combination of carefree girlish whims and cunning selfishness. Pugh seduces and terrifies the viewer, quite an achievement for a 21-year-old actress.

Another plus is the lack of music, right down to the credits. The film is intense enough in itself, music is just as superfluous here as a laugh track on a sitcom. Moreover, silence is the habitat in which Katherine lives, a silence in which wind, rain and a horse’s klippeti knock are the only sounds.

Cinematographically, we have nothing to complain about either. Tight frames and symmetrical compositions provide pictorial beauty, while the lack of light enhances the gloomy and isolation of the mansion. This beautiful visual language contrasts with the sometimes very raw emotions, a contrast that feels pleasantly uncomfortable. It also fits well with a movie about a woman who lives up to her nickname. Anyone who thinks that Hillary Clinton or Claire Underwood (‘House of Cards’) deserves the nickname Lady Macbeth should see this exciting and gloomy film. Then you’ll beep differently.