Macbeth - Geoffrey Wright

In 1996 Baz Luhrmann released his version of Romeo and Juliet into the world. Since then I honestly haven't seen many films that have done what he did with that - update the setting but keep the language. However in 2006, Geoffrey Wright released a version of Macbeth that does exactly that. I knew of Wright from his previous film Romper Stomper which stars Russell Crowe. What I vaguely remember from that film is that it was violent, and dealt with gangs. So it should come as no surprise that Wright's updated version of Macbeth does the same.

Set in Australia in 2006, the story of Macbeth remains the same, the language spoken is the Shakespearian language, yet...the setting is a gang where Duncan is the head of the gang, and Macbeth kills him to take it over. Because it is set in a modern timeframe, there are a lot of guns, and there are drugs. There are aspects of the film that I find really interesting. First off it opens with the Macbeth's in a cemetery paying respects to their child who is buried there. While I believe Lady Macbeth's line about "giving suck" was cut in this adaptation, if you know the script you know that this is important. Also in the cemetery are three red-haired girls who are costumed in High School uniforms. It implies that they are young, however these are the three witches. The next scene there is a gang fight over a drug deal, and it eventually leads Macbeth and Banquo to the Cawdor Club, where they kill the owner and take it over. There during drinks and drugs Macbeth sees the three witches and is told the prophesy. Macbeth see's them off and on through out the movie, and the apparition scene takes place in the Macbeth kitchen where the three girls are concocting their spell/broth, which they give to him before having a bit of an orgy. A bit gratuitous for my liking but it is a strong choice. Another very strong choice is using a lumber truck, hauling three or four long trees as the way into Macbeths secluded and gated house - Burnham wood company emblazoned on the truck. I have watched this film a few times and am still now sure what I think about that choice. Most of the reviews I found online were not good, however I think it is still worth watching at least once. Sam Worthington as Macbeth is hot, and it is a very different take on the material while also keeping the source material close at hand.