THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (DVD)

Director: Michael Radford (Il Postino, 1984, more)
Starring: Al Pacino, Joseph Fiennes, Jeremy Irons, Lynn Collins

This is a very good, perhaps even excellent, portrayal of the Bard’s classic, and in great part due to the passion that Al Pacino brings to his Shylock. Often Shakespeare's works are placed in unintended settings to freshen up the old stories (and to show how they can be relevent in different ways), but this story is firmly placed in the Venice of the 16th century. The prejudice and pride of this tale in it's first form is certainly obvious enough to relate to our current society.

Although Irons and Fiennes and others give wonderful performances, there is no doubt Pacino is the standout. His vengeful Jew demanding the pound of flesh from Antonio was simply wonderful - a very good, very passionate performance all around. Most other aspects of this film were well done, if not exceptional. Very little stood out, but very little seriously detracted either.

This is certainly a commendable addition to the catalog of Shakespeare films. Better than most I would say.

Standouts: Al Pacino’s Shylock.
Blowouts: Is it just me, or do a lot of Shakespeare’s plots depend on silly cross-dressing devices?

Grade: A-

1/27/2006