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The Merchant of Venice
2004 132 min Italy, Luxembourg, United Kingdom R 16+
★7.0
Drama, Romance
Director: Michael Radford
🎭 Based on
«The Merchant of Venice»
byWilliam Shakespeare
Trailers
Description
Venice, 1596. Bassanio begs his friend Antonio, a prosperous merchant, to lend him a large sum of money so that he can woo Portia, a very wealthy heiress; but Antonio has invested his fortune abroad, so they turn to Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, and ask him for a loan.
Budget:
$30M
US Gross:
$3.77M
Worldwide:
$21.6M
Starring
Al Pacino
Actor
Joseph Fiennes
Actor
Lynn Collins
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 2005
— Best Costume Design
Key opinion
Michael Radford’s adaptation of 'The Merchant of Venice' is widely regarded as a visually stunning and atmospheric period piece that leans heavily on the strength of its lead performance. While opinions on the narrative balance and the portrayal of the play's controversial themes vary, it is generally praised for its technical craftsmanship and commitment to Shakespearean language.
| Acting | Al Pacino delivers a masterful and emotionally complex portrayal of Shylock that serves as the film's anchor. | |
| Production | The production design, including costumes, lighting, and period sets, creates an authentic and immersive Venetian atmosphere. | |
| Score | The musical score by Joseph Puk effectively enhances the film's poetic and period-appropriate tone. | |
| Adaptation | The film is a faithful translation of Shakespeare's verse and dialogue, preserving the rhythmic spirit of the original text. | |
| Direction | The narrative balance is divisive; some find Al Pacino's commanding performance creates a tragic, focused drama, while others argue it overshadows the supporting cast and disrupts the play’s structural harmony. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing is viewed inconsistently, with some appreciating the deliberate, theatrical rhythm and others finding the experience overly elongated. |