So what exactly do you get when you translate Shakespeare to 1970s America? Well, the witches become drugged out hippies
CLIP Hippies: Foul is foul, and fair is fair
Duncan turns into a fast food king
CLIP Duncan: Order up
And the Macbeths become white trash slackers
CLIP McBeth: Wanna play new manager, bad counter girl?
With a sudden impulse to change their social standing
CLIP Mrs. McBeth: Were not bad people, just underachievers making up for lost time.
Gone, however, is Shakespeares beautiful poetry and a famous soliloquy like Macbeths Tomorrow speech become part of a self help tape.
CLIP Tomorrow is tomorrow, tomorrow is not today, today is who I am
Is this irreverent? Yes. Is it sacrilege? No. Is it funny? Frequently. Those who put Shakespeare on a pedestal will likely be turned off. But for those who appreciate seeing new generations reinvent the Bard in their own way, Scotland, PA proves how modern and adaptable Shakespeare still is.
If Morrissette knew the play better and was a more mature filmmaker, he might have been able to make his film richer and the parody sharper. But Scotland, PA definitely develops its own quirky style and delivers a clever take on the famous tragedy. And turning the McBeths empire into a variation on the golden arches franchise is inspired.
CLIP Ill have the little chicken McBeths with extra sauce.
But the best thing about Scotland, PA is Christopher Walken as Macduff--Lt. Ernie McDuff.
CLIP McDuff: They called me in because the Scotland PD are a bit understaffed and they take time sharing the bullet.
McBeth: They only have one bullet?
Mrs. McBeth: We dont have a lot of crime here.
McDuff: Wouldnt it be nice if it were like that everywhere.
McBeth: Then youd be out of a job.
McDuff: Its not all its cracked up to be.
Walken, whos done classical Shakespeare here at the Globe, brings the right mix of seriousness and humor as well as his unique brand of edginess to the role. Maura Tierney, of TVs News Radio and the wife of the director, displays more range than shes usually allowed as Pat McBeth. Her character overestimates her resolve and resorts to wearing an oven mitt to hide her incriminating spots. James LeGros has a laid-back demeanor as McBeth and slowly builds his motivation. And Morrissette does pick up on the plays intimacy between the McBeths, which here translates into overt sexual passion.
Scotland, PA does not reach the heights of such recent cinematic Shakespearean adaptations as Ian McKellans Richard III. But its a lively twist on a classic and it may inspire new generations to seek out the original text. Plus Morrissette shows that times may change but human nature doesnt. People still fall victim to greed and ambition, and murder remains a means to their ends.
CLIP Hippie 2: I got it, Mac should kill McDuffs entire family thatll stop him.
Hippie 1: Oh that would work about a 1000 years ago.
Hippie 2: Whats that supposed to mean
Hippie 1: These are modern times you cant go around killing everybody. [they start to fight]
Hippie 3: Can you?.
So lay on Morrissette, and damned be the critics who first cry hold enough! -----
