Denzel Washington's brilliant work helps make 'The Tragedy of Macbeth' a remarkable film

He just looks so tired.

That’s the first thing you notice about Denzel Washington in “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” Washington, in the title role, portrays Macbeth at first as an exhausted victor in battle, trudging back from the field. Of course, he will change over the course of the play, er, film, but that world-weariness remains, informing his portrayal.

It’s remarkable. Everything about the film is, starting with Joel Coen’s direction (his brother Ethan sits this one out) but hardly ending there. Washington’s performance, Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth, the stark and beautiful black-and-white cinematography (courtesy of Bruno Delbonnel), Carter Burwell’s horror-movie score — what a movie.

Kathryn Hunter’s performance as the witch, or maybe the three witches, depending on Macbeth’s state of mind, deserves its own shout-out. Contorting her body and her delivery, she’s terrifying. (She also plays an old man.)

Coen streamlines 'Macbeth' but retains all its power

It’s a streamlined version of Shakespeare’s play — it’s 105 minutes long — but Coen, who wrote the screenplay, maximizes the impact. You won’t feel shortchanged.

Dazzled, more like.

(Happily, Coen retains my favorite line. As Macduff grieves the slaughter of his family, Malcolm tells him to “dispute it like a man.” “I shall do so,” Macduff replies. “But I must also feel it as a man.”)

Also of note: Alex Hassell as Ross, shifting his loyalties as he sees fit, his countenance at times stern, at times bemused.

Coen uses the full name of the play, which is fitting for a tragic descent into murder and madness, fueled by ambition. Washington, an experienced Shakespearian actor, navigates this beautifully. The stripped-down dialogue means he makes his decisions swiftly — he’s not Hamlet, after all, hemming and hawing over everything.

It’s effective, giving his behavior an urgency that seems genuine, not rushed or abbreviated. And Washington’s delivery is perfect, underplayed until it isn’t.

Lady Macbeth’s descent into madness also happens relatively quickly, but McDormand makes every scene count. Her ambition for her husband overtakes her and him, of course. Again, the performance and the direction lend this a tragic nature befitting the title.

The film begins in thick fog, a disorienting place to start. Screaming crows fly by. Coen keeps the audience off-kilter — it really does feel like anything could happen.

So much does.

Washington and McDormand are essential to the film's success

If you’re not familiar with the story, Macbeth, egged on by his wife, becomes consumed by his ambition to become king, eventually murdering the king (Brendan Gleeson). But his lust for power overtakes him and he is himself killed and overthrown.

(We’ll operate under the assumption that you can’t really spoil one of the most famous plays in the English language.)

As with so much of Shakespeare’s work, it’s both timeless and timely. Greed, the lust for power and the willingness to do anything to obtain it are all on a lot of people’s minds just now. Washington offers a glimpse into that dangerous combination, one that resonates as strongly as ever.

All of this plays out on impressionistic sets, all shadows and weird angles, architectural impossibilities that accentuate the chaotic state of Macbeth’s mind. It’s oddly immersive (Coen having the actors often speak directly to the camera contributes to this effect, too).

It’s often said of movies like this that you’re basically watching a filmed play. Sometimes that rings more true than others. Given the stage production and the framing, “The Tragedy of Macbeth” does feel a little like that.

But it always feels like a movie, and a great one at that.

'The Tragedy of Macbeth' 5 stars

Great ★★★★★ Good ★★★★

Fair ★★★ Bad ★★ Bomb ★

Director: Joel Coen.

Cast: Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Alex Hassell.

Rating: R for violence.

Note: In theaters. Streaming on Apple TV+ on Jan. 14.

Reach Goodykoontz at [email protected]. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk. Subscribe to the weekly movies newsletter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Joel Coen's 'The Tragedy of Macbeth' is great. So is Denzel Washington