Scotland, PA
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Movie Reviews of Scotland, PA
Movie Review: A Mixed Bag at Mcbeth's Drive Through
Summary: 3 Stars
Scotland, Pa., a film inspired by Shakespeare's Macbeth, proves steroid infused and grinningly delicious at times but leaves one with an artificial aftertaste.
Just how original is this production supported by Lot 49 Films and Billy Morrissette's direction? To ask this question fairly one must also ask how original Shakespeare's tragedy was to begin with. The answer, not very.
Both the drama's driving forces are greed, justice, and the universal question of fate as "Mac," played by James Legross, usurps Duncan of Duncan's diner with a number of casualties along the way. The basic plot and character roles are nearly symmetrical. Lady Mcbeth eggs Mcbeth on, some `witches' stand on the cusp of reality and the supernatural, chance and fate, Lady Mcbeth's anguish manifests itself on her hand, and the laudable Mcduff opposes Mcbeth.
It is important to note the origin of any story, and whether any offspring successfully reinterpret, and in this case, modernize it. Many artists openly admit they don't conceive of every element in their work as much as they inter-mingle them. Therefore, comparison of the frame is essential but the organic (or less than) art therein is the true subject of evaluation and whether or not it resolves its own unique conflicts. After all, should we write off Shakespeare's Macbeth because he borrowed an outline from Holinshed?
Morrissette successfully modernizes the practical details from the original Macbeth. Who better to replace the mystical role of the witches than hippies? How more aptly to exile Detective Mcduff from the scene than have Lady Mcbeth give him a false scent? and where more `punny' to set the film than in a Scotland, Pa: Scotland being a town named after Holinshed and Shakespeare's setting and a P.A., alluding to another name for innovative idea of a drive-through, that leads Mcbeth to indignation, and the murder of his boss, Duncan?
Christopher Walken plays detective Mcduff, and, as usual, has the most unique and believable stage presence. Just like Dustin Hoffman and the young Jack Nicholson, he translates himself into the role without shedding his charm. He first appears at Duncan's funeral, then begins his investigation when he struts into the newly built Mcbeth's fast food joint to the dismay of the Mcbeth couple, who Pat Mcbeth, played by Maura Tierney, succinctly describes as "underachievers that have to make up for lost time."
The interrogation scene is where the film starts taking flight due to the actors' chemistry, compiled with the post-production's chemistry with the footage. Walken interviews employees to the backdrop of a hardly noticeable, and therefore appropriate, instrumental track that mirrors his quirky character interaction and the underlying suspense. He even elevates the usually histrionic Maura Tierney (at least as Pat Mcbeth) to his caliber in their scenes together. On the same note, he might serve as a foil to other actor's scenes because his are just so artful. The only other noteworthy acting is Kevin Corrigan as Anthony 'Banquo' Banconi, playing a seemingly oblivious, but all too observant underling. His anything-but-haphazard haphazard look, voice and casual gestures create his character, whereas the audience finds itself questioning whether it is James Legross, or Mcbeth who is clueless.
Apart from the interrogation scene, the music is a miss with scattered tracks that don't resonate beyond their scene. Songs include a predictable "Moonlight Sonata" at Duncan's funeral and an entire, weary catalogue of Bad Company songs, the only partly suitable one being "Can't Get Enough" during Malcolm Duncan's decision to leave his rock gig and reconcile with his father, coinciding with his frialator death. Too often the music functioned solely as a segue between scenes, a bad idea altogether, or a crutch to define mood rather than reinforce it.
The only consistent production aspect of the film was the lighting and setting. Throughout the film, especially in the outside during the night, the viewer senses the ominousness essential to the tragedy aspect of this tragicomedy. Even when at bars, Duncan's dinner, or the Mcbeth's upper-class home, the production achieves this mood accompanied by a respective griminess or tackiness expected in the backwoods of Pennsylvania in the 70's; for this, dual cheers to the lighting crew and set designers. But even consistency doesn't necessarily equate itself with quality. The real tragic flaw is Morrissette's inability to recognize the cliché, silhouetted face--half shadowed, half illuminated. By the second time this started to get old, let alone the fifth.
Perhaps the most unique flip served with the modern day Macbeth is the theme of nutrition, a fully developed concept within the film. Mcbeth is a blood thirsty carnivore and Mcduff is a vegetarian. What each character eats is the true demarcation between their goals and values, and therefore the deeply rooted necessity for conflict. This idealogical conflict interjects into their characters--Mcduff talks about his wife's baba ghanoush; dialogue--Mcbeth sarcastically tells Mcduff that the spirit he is mixing him is made from a vegetable; and even the plot--Mcbeth shoves a burger into Mcduff's mouth behind a establishment sign reading "Mcbeth's," soon to be "Mcduff's," (a vegetarian establishment).
When all is said and credits run, you walk away from Scotland, Pa. feeling catered to if at least for the fact that Walken's Mcduff wins out. Besides that, the experience is like dipping a french fry in baba ghanoush; indigestible and imbalanced as a whole, but with true, unadulterated flavors shining through.
Movie Review: Scotland, PA - An Average Translation of Shakespeare's MacBeth.
Summary: 3 Stars
Scotland, PA is Billy Morriessette's incarnation of Shakespeare's MacBeth. William Shakespeare may be rolling over in his grave. The idea to take a classic and turn it into an updated drama is certainly not new. Although the 1970s setting of MacBeth certainly adds an interesting aspect to the story.
Joe (James LeGros) and Pat McBeth (Maura Tierney) work hard in the fast food business. Joe has a lot of great ideas, but never seems to get recognition from the owner, Norm Duncan (James Rebhorn). When Norm hits on the idea to add a drive through to his restaurant, the McBeth's hatch a plan to take the old man out. There plan goes awry, but they manage to divert attention away from themselves in the short term.
The McBeth's turn their restaurant ideas into a cash cow. They are thriving with their drive through window and chicken nuggets. However, Joe's friend Banko (Keving Corrigan) is starting to suspect the pair. Between Banko and a nosy Lieutenant (McDuff, played by Christopher Walken), things begin to unravel. The McBeth's suffer from hallucinations brought on by their guilt and don't seem to be capable of holding their lie together as events spin out of control.
The dialogue and characters in this film are a bit flat for my tastes. The writing seems to have started from a great inspiration (placing the events in the culturally unique 1970s), but failed as a story. It was interesting to see some of the tongue-in-cheek humor and allusions to 70s culture. It gave the film a connection that helped me get past the otherwise weak writing.
The performances weren't bad, but the script did not help much. Christopher Walken has an odd screen presence that I have always liked. He brings an instant quirky charm to his roles. He may seem typecast at times, but I like him. Tierney was awesome while LeGros was decent. Rebhorn played a pretty good straight-man for some cheap visual gags. They worked okay because of his deadpan delivery. Overall, the quality of the cast exceeded that of the script.
The single factor I most enjoyed about Scotland, PA was the setting. The 1970s was recreated with loads of subtle imagery. Even an old-school overhead projector was featured as a background prop in one scene. The vehicles, clothing and sets all had a campy 70s feel that was enhanced by the carefully selected soundtrack. The music added a fun element to the story that helped keep my mind off the forgettable script.
While rated R, this film was not that objectionable. A streaking scene at the end of the film probably got it bumped up from an otherwise PG-13. It should be fine for teen audiences and above.
Billy Morrissette is no William Shakespeare. His writing left a lot to be desired. He was smart to place his story in the 1970s, where the music, sets and costumes were able to help carry the story. The performances were also better than the actual writing. It is a forgettable story, but a fun, quirky, campy trip back to the 1970s. This film is not for everyone, but I would mildly recommend it with three stars.
Movie Review: To Kill A Man In A Fryolater, Or Not To Kill A Man In A Fryolater....That Is The Question
Summary: 3 Stars
James LeGros (Destiny Turns on the Radio, Tv's Ally McBeal) and Maura Tierney (Tv's E.R., Insomnia (2002) star as Mac and Pat McBeth who are working at a Burger joint and hate their jobs and they want to rob their boss of his money in the safe but the boss ends up face down, deep frying in the Fryolater. Enter Inspector McDuff, played by Christopher Walken (Suicide Kings, The Rundown), who is on the case of the deep fryed dead owner. Pat and Mac McBeth get to inherite the Burger Joint from the dead guys son, Malcolm Thomas Guiry (Mystic River, Tigerland) and they change the name of the place to McBeth's. As the story goes on, Mac McBeth goes deeper and deeper into his mind seeing 3 imaginary people who talk to him, 2 played by Andy Dick (Tv's Less Than Perfect, Hebrew Hammer) and Amy Smart (Road Trip, Butterfly Effect). McDuff gets really suspicious of the 2 of them and conducts further into the investigation. Reworking, Modern Day remake, although it's set in the 70's, version of Shake-es-speare's MacBeth, is funny and intersting and has a lot of ideas...it sometimes runs out a little steam here or there but the performances are great and Walken is still a funny, funny man...woorah!! Also starring James Rebhorn (Meet The Parents, ID4), Kevin Corrigan (Tv's Grounded For Life, Kicked in the Head) and Josh Pais (Scream 3, Safe Men). The director is Billy Morrissette (acted in Pump Up The Volume, Severed Ties) who also wrote this and he has a uncred cameo as a man walking a dog and plus his wife in Mrs. McBeth, Maura Tierney.Movie Review: "We're Not Bad People, We're Just Underachievers That Have To Make-Up For Lost Time" ~ Shakespeare For The Fast Food Generation
Summary: 3 Stars
`Scotland, PA' released in '01 is a dark, witty, black comedy that redefines Shakespeare for a new generation. Well not really, but overt Shakespearean elements are definitely present in this wonderfully quirky, highly enjoyable Indie film starring James LeGros, Maura Tierney and the always wacky Christopher Walken.
Synopsis: James and Maura star as Mac and Pat McBeth (doesn't that reference slap you right in the face). Mac and Pat both work at a diner in Scotland, U.S.A. There growing dissatisfaction with the owners hiring decisions finally pushes the couple over the edge when he announces the appointment of his teenage son to the vacant manager position instead of Mac. Aided by the advice of three imaginary hippies (McBeth's witches) that appear and disappear at pivotal moments in the storyline poor, confused Mac and Pat decide to rob the diner and use the money to begin a new life somewhere else. However their little robbery inadvertently turns into murder and from that moment on their plans take on drastic and unforeseen changes. Unexpectedly an out-of-town Lieutenant named Mc Duff (Christopher Walken) is assigned to the case and things progress from bad to worse when he begins asking too many questions.
`Scotland, PA' is a clever film with lots of inventive twists and turns. It does however lose a little steam towards the end which is why it receives -3 1/2 Stars- instead of 4.
Movie Review: Strange movie
Summary: 2 Stars
Hmmm. I originally bought the movie because I am a Christopher Walken fan and he stars in it. I was disappointed that there are only a few scenes which he is in and his character lacks depth. Not typical for Christopher Walken characters. The movie is lame at best and would be like something you'd find late night while you're flipping around the channels when there is nothing to watch. Don't waste your time, thumbs down on this one.