Scotland, PA

Cast, Etc.
Dir. Billy Morisette, James LeGros, Maura Tierney, Christopher Walken, Kevin Corrigan, James Rebhorn, Tom Guiry, Andy Dick, Amy Smart, Timothy "Speed" Levitch, Geoff Dunsworth, score by Anton Sanko, rated R, 2002

Synopsis
"Macbeth" as a dark comedy.

Review
It seems to me that "Macbeth" is the last play one would think of to make into any sort of comedy. Yet, if one were going to make it into a comedy, then a dark comedy would be fitting, right? Right. That's the premise of this small, independent film that delivers big on the laughs and on the insanity of the original play. Based on a "story by William Shakespeare," Scotland, PA begins by showing Pat McBeth (Tierney), a waitress at Duncan's fast-food restaurant, and her husband "Mac" McBeth (LeGros) really wishing they were not working there anymore. When Norm Duncan (Rebhorn) fires the manager for stealing, Duncan brings the two of them in on the business by promoting Mac to assistant manager. Yippee. Pat doesn't approve of this, as Mac is basically running the business anyway since Norm's son, Malcolm (Guiry), wants nothing to do with the business, but is manager above Mac. This sets up the classic story of greed, obsession, and ambition, set in 1970s Pennsylvania. It is my belief that it is very hard to really screw up Shakespeare because of how great the writing is; it could have been very easy to screw this one up, but the filmmakers walk the very thin line of making "Macbeth" funny while keeping the dark, brooding atmosphere that is needed for the play of the Scottish king. For the first half of the film, it's very funny with references to the original play; from the three hippies (Dick, Smart, and Lavitch) filling in for the three weird sisters, to the "Three Witches Inn" where Mac, Pat, and their friend Banko (Corrigan) play Yahtzee for Banko's birthday party. Later, though, the film gets dark as the deaths mount. Duncan's death is especially shocking, even though you know it's going to happen (oops, sorry, for those of you who haven't read "Macbeth"). Pat's obsession with the spot on her hand is done really well, even though we don't get to hear the great line "Out, out, damn spot!" Christopher Walken is once again in top form as the vegetarian Lt. Ernie McDuff investigating Duncan's death. LeGros' performance as Mac is low-key while keeping the intensity of a man slowly going insane over power and conscience. It helps a great deal to have read or seen "Macbeth" performed in its original form (or as close to it as you can get) as many of the visual references and in-jokes are based on the play (as they should be).

Highlights
"McBeth's"; the cars; the hippies; the spot; Birnam Wood

Rating
I give this film a Scotch-and-coke rating; it perfectly blends the hilarious with the horrendous, paying homage to the classic play while keeping it funny (though morbid). As a comedy, it's pretty good; as a dark comedy, it's excellent. The villains of Mac and Pat (Macbeth and Lady Macbeth) are classic villains and are brought to life with good performances by LeGros and Tierney. The score by Sanko is quirky and fun at the right moments; the classic rock songs are well chosen (song for Mac? "Bad Company").