The.Merchant.Of.Venice.PAL

Description

One of the immortal bard's most frequently performed works gets a

first-rate cinematic treatment here, via director Michael Radford

(IL POSTINO). Al Pacino is virtually unrecognisable as Shylock,

bringing an old-world gravitas to the role and clearly inspiring the

rest of the cast to match his intensity. They succeed, and the result

is riveting, rousing entertainment. Even if one is familiar with the

play in advance, this is white-knuckle suspense and swooning

romance all the way through. A 16th-century Venetian sea merchant

(Jeremy Irons), devoted to a young lord (Joseph Fiennes), owes a

debt for 'a pound of flesh' to the anguished Jewish moneylender

Shylock. Lovingly filmed in Venice, the film looks great, with settings

and costumes all sporting a dusky, lived-in look that matches the

subdued, naturalistic interpretation of the dialogue. Lynn Collins is

excellent and ethereal as Portia, and her love scenes with Fiennes

have an alchemical power that lifts them to dizzyingly mythic

romantic heights. Vague homoerotic content and the grim realities

of Jewish oppression are not shied away from here, which lends

the film further richness and complexity. With the play's rich array of

dramatic and comedic elements all perfectly in tune, MERCHANT

OF VENICE earns its place as the first truly great Shakespeare

film of the 21st century.



Technical Details

Region 2

Year 2004

Languages English

Subtitles: Nordic

Duration 2 hours and 18 minutes (approx)

Genre: Drama

Certificate: PG Parental Guidance

Directed by: Michael Radford

Actors: Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes, Lynn Collins,

Zuleikha Robinson, Kris Marshall, Charlie Cox, Mackenzie Crook,

Heather Goldenhersh



IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379889/