| THE MERCHANT OF VENICE |
 2004 - USADirector: Michael Radford
- Reviewed by Jennifer
Everyone who has ever had to study Shakespeare should throw the makers of The Merchant of Venice a party. Shakespeare is meant to be performed, not read, and if we are to continue to appreciate his work, we need these beautifully-crafted movie versions of his plays. The only play I really remember from my college Shakespeare course is Othello, and I have the Laurence Fishburne movie to thank for that. Once you see these films, the words come alive on the page. The inaccessible suddenly becomes familiar. The Merchant of Venice takes place in an era when Jews were relegated to the ghetto and made to wear red hats to distinguish themselves from the Christians. It explores the strange dynamics between the Christians and the Jews through the story of Antonio (Jeremy Irons) and Shylock (Al Pacino). When Bassanio (Joseph Fiennes) decides to court the most beautiful woman in all the land, he turns to his dear friend Antonio for a loan. Antonio has several treasure ships away at sea, but no money on hand. Instead, he approaches Shylock, who makes his living through usury, since the Jews are permitted to do little else. Shylock points out that Antonio has spat at him, spurned him, and called him a dog, but he is willing to help. In exchange for his friendship, he will loan Antonio the money free of interest. However, if it is not repaid on time, Shylock will extract a pound of flesh from Antonio's body. Confident in the return of his ships, Antonio agrees. With his newly acquired fortune in hand, Bassanio sets off with his friend Gratanio (Kris Marshall from Love Actually) to court Portia (Lynn Collins). Naturally it is love at first sight, and Gratanio conveniently falls in love with Portia's cute friend. O happy day! Unfortunately, word that Antonio's ships have sunk puts a damper on their party, and Bassanio must leave his new bride to aid his best friend. In a tiresome, classically Shakespearean switcheroo, the women disguise themselves as men, and follow Bassanio and Gratanio. In Venice, they find the Christians up in arms over the shrewdness of the Jew. Shylock is offered other forms of compensation, but he's having none of it. His daughter (Zuleikha Robinson from Hidalgo) has stolen his money and run away to become a Christian, and he has little left to lose. Shylock wants revenge, and he wants it legally. He's thinking Antonio's heart would be the nicest pound of flesh, and he produces a balance from his satchel so he can weigh it. He sharpens his knife as Antonio quivers in the corner. The Christians beg for mercy, but Shylock is firm. At this point, Bassanio leaps up and announces that he'd happily give his wife's life to save Antonio. What?! I knew there was something funny about their kiss on the lips! Hearing this, Portia does not flee in indignation. She does not demand a divorce. She intervenes on Antonio's behalf! Annoyingly, no one recognizes her in a hat and fake moustache, and she thinks of a loophole that basically allows the Christians to stick it to the Jew. The girls play a prank involving rings, mistaken identities, and double meanings as payback for what Bassanio said, but after that, everyone lives happily ever after—except Shylock. Though it is hundreds of years old, The Merchant of Venice is surprisingly timeless and compelling. Through the moving performances, gorgeous cinematography, and tight storytelling in this film, it is sure to resonate with audiences throughout the 21st century. |
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