New Jersey Stage 2017: Issue 6 | Page 88

It may be set in the 19th century , but Oldroyd ’ s film is as much influenced by mid 20th century film noir as classic literature . If Andrea Arnold ’ s Wuthering Heights enjoyed a romp in the hay with John M . Stahl ’ s technicolor thriller Leave Her to Heaven , the resulting lovechild would probably resemble Lady Macbeth . The Gene Tierney figure here is Katherine ( a deliciously villainous Florence Pugh ), the new teenage bride of Alexander

( Paul Hilton ), son of local mining magnate Boris ( Christopher Fairbank ). Alexander however seems unwilling to lay hands on his new bride , ordering her to strip and face the wall as he masturbates . As Oldroyd ’ s camera lingers on Katherine ’ s face , a smirk crosses her lips , and the intrigue of this character begins . When her husband and fatherin-law leave their estate on a business trip , Katherine is left alone with the serving staff , and embarks on a steamy af-

Watch the trailer for Lady Macbeth

NJ STAGE 2017 - Vol . 4 No . 6

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