Measure for Measure

Measure for Measure, directed by Paul Ireland, is a 2019 Australian drama that tells a worthy story of love, guilt, redemption, and brotherhood, set against the backdrop of Melbourne's modern-day housing projects. Adapted from William Shakespeare's play of the same name, the film boasts a stellar cast including Hugo Weaving, Claude Jabbour and Doris Younane, showcasing a new take on Shakespeare's play in a contemporary urban setting.

The film is primarily centred around three characters. Hugo Weaving plays Duke, a crime boss in the underbelly of Melbourne's housing project filled with diverse cultures and people from all walks of life. Having been there for years, he commands respect from the people and operates his empire with an iron fist.

Portrayed by Jabbour, Claudio is a Lebanese youngster who lives in the same neighbourhood and gets himself enrolled in trouble due to his petty criminal activities. Unlike typical drama protagonists, Claudio is no underdog, but a messed-up individual trying to redeem himself. When he falls in love with the Muslim sister of a local crime boss, things get complicated.

Jaiwara, played by Megan Hajjar, is the sister of the gang leader Farouk, and is a perfect example of a woman trying to escape the suffocating confines of her culture and tradition, while also dealing with her recent romantic involvement with Claudio. Doris Younane plays the role of Angela, an ally of the Duke, who often seems to be the only mature and sensible person in the entire neighbourhood.

The narrative of Measure for Measure is set in motion when Claudio’s pregnant girlfriend sets off a chain of events that ends in a tragedy, which then presents a significant question of justice versus grace throughout the movie.

The film is far from being a direct translation of Shakespeare's original work. Rather, it uses the body of the original text as a touchstone & inspiration to explore persisting themes of mercy, justice, and truth in a very different, modern context. The script, co-written by Ireland and Damian Hill, deviates significantly from the original – but shares its vexing and provocative moral conundrums, while also being relevant to the social issues it seeks to portray.

The movie’s biggest success is in its ability to provide raw visuals of the underbelly of an urban neighbourhood ravaged by crime, drugs, and hopelessness. The setting is gritty, packed with the subtle tension of the struggle for dominance and survival.

Each of the characters in Measure for Measure is flawed, shaped by their circumstances in a way that makes them neither likable nor villainous – just complexly human. From the flawed and empathetic Duke to the conflicted Claudio, to the torn and self-sacrificing Jaiwara, there is an authenticity in the characters that makes their portrayed struggles palpable.

The performances are roundly commendable. Hugo Weaving delivers a nuanced performance, with his charisma as the morally ambiguous Duke a highlight of the film. Claude Jabbour, a relative newcomer, holds his own against the more seasoned Weaving, while Doris Younane brings depth to her relatively smaller role. The film also boasts of fantastic supporting performances by Harrison Gilbertson, Daniel Henshall and Fayssal Bazzi.

Although the movie does not necessarily land all of its punches, Measure for Measure is a brave attempt at reimagining one of Shakespeare’s plays in a contemporary setting, with its core theme revolving around whether absolute justice should be mitigated by mercy. The film can be best described as an unorthodox Shakespearean tale, reimagined to spotlight raw, diverse, everyday life. In its essence, it’s a profound exploration of humanity and the struggle of survival in a cruel and unforgiving world.

All in all, Measure for Measure offers a breath of fresh air when it comes to reimagining classic literature, placing itself in the zeitgeist of Modern Shakespearean adaptations with its fresh take on an old tale that is both resilient and certainly worth watching.