The Merchant of Venice
User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 29
  3. Negative: 3 out of 29

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  1. KavehP.
    Jan 4, 2005
    10
    'The best' Shakespearean movie I have ever seen. It is truly a shame that just because of lack of advertisment, people don't vote!
  2. [Anonymous]
    May 15, 2005
    10
    Beautifuly executed, and bravely dealing with issues of predjudice in a compelling and in my opinion true to the intentions of Shakespeare's work. Fantastic performances from Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons and a fun Joseph Fiennes.
  3. ColmanK.
    Jan 23, 2005
    10
    Surely everyone knows by now that M.o.V is deeply problematic, and its anti-semitism is most offensive. This version is nearly perfect, though. The acting, by all, is brilliant- their clarity of enunciation, rhythm of speech and emotional power are overwhelming: the settings are beautiful, and the overall depiction of the period in which the play is set is flawless. Only Branagh's Henry V comes close, as a stage play brought to life on film.… Expand
  4. RichardB.
    Sep 22, 2005
    9
    This is an extraordinarily difficult play to produce. This production will literally set the bar for the 21st Century. Pacino is unforgettable, the casting is accurate generally, the photography inspired. Stunning.
  5. SJennings
    Mar 12, 2005
    9
    Intriguing and beautiful, Pacino engagingly renders a social outcast struggleing for dignity and befallen in mistfortune and vengeful. Yes the plot is perhaps antisemetic, NO MORE SO THAN the original widely taught MASTERPIECE, this particular version seems to handle the conflicts of religion well, noting the historical significance of the prejudice Jews in Europe faced, and seemingly attempting to corral a genuine sympathy for Shylock's position, not as Jew or anything but as a wounded human being and father, allowing for a new and sincere take on the period work.… Expand
  6. RONGIU
    Nov 14, 2010
    10
    Sorry, machine translation.

    Mario Praz.

    "No eye has a jew? It has no hands, organs, limbs, senses, affections, passions? Not nourished by food? He does not feel the wounds? He is not subject to the ills? Summer and winter are not hot and cold for a jew as a Christian? If you prick us, do not do blood? Do not die if you poison us? So, if we offended and abused, we should not think of     revenge? If you are the same for the rest, well want to look like this! If a Christian is offended by a jew, as he shows his famous charity? With revenge! And if a Christian offends a jew, as these may prove to be tolerant if not, his example, in revenge? I did nothing but build on the villainy you teach me that, and will be very difficult for me to stay below the masters. "Shylock

    Tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy? I leave you to decide. One thing is certain, the list of the works of Shakespeare in 1623, insert, The Merchant of Venice, among the comedies. This collection is called the First Folio. I do not participate in the drawing rooms of the learned Wednesday night at the royal residence of Margaret of Savoy (1851-1926), nor are Bilderbergers. My intention is to create a little 'interest in young people, for an author, Shakespeare, who has a wonderful talent. Arouses curiosity through its beautiful and colorful characters.
    The curiosity, the passions, are also born by chance. And so, one day, by chance, I find myself in your hands a book of the History of English Literature at a certain Mario Praz (Rome, September 6, 1896 - Rome, March 23, 1982) unanimously considered the best (I discover, , as an adult), after reading a few pages sparks. I think that curiosity can also be caused, induced. Come on teachers, better go to the movies that "drugs or alcohol." Hashish, Cocaine, Heroin, Ecstasy, Kobret, Popper, Beer, **** Primer, bottled alcohol, try to replace them with Shylock, Antonio, Bassanio, Portia and so on. From young adult, I find again that the prof. Mario Praz get awards and titles.
    These include:

    1957 received the Honorary Doctorate in Letters conferred by the University of Cambridge;
    1960 he was sworn to Venice International Venice Film Festival;
    1962 by Queen Elizabeth II gets the title of Knight Commander of the British Empire.
    And much more. An Italian who writes the best English literature. Sorry if it is little. The director Michael Radford, bolstered by a strong cast, led by a text driven, has created a masterpiece. Why not take advantage? I invite the young, old, film lovers to the vision of this work. I extend the same invitation to teachers of all levels. You will not regret. I hope.

    Synopsis.

    The characters are all likeable. Bassanio (Joseph Fiennes) is a noble, young, instinctive and impetuous, and too wasteful in love. Who? But Portia (Lynn Collins). The fair Portia lives in Belmont and that's where Bassanio must show all his skills, thinking, speaking, in deciding. A great mystery, to be resolved, it expects ...
    Bassanio, is now penniless, to reach his goal he needed money, lots of money. What to do? Here's the idea, why not turn to Antonio? (Jeremy Irons). Bassanio is sure to aid Antonio. Antonio is a merchant. Carries on business in Venice. Most of all, argue that Bassanio and Antonio ... ..., well, I stop. I said, Antonio has all his fortune at sea. In fact, his "Ragusin" or "Dubrovnik", so called the great Venetian galleys, on the road. So, no, at the time, hard cash. Who can claim him? Shylock! (Al Pacino), he can. Shylock is a jew devoted wear. He lives with his community in a "ghetto". The term ghetto was coined in that period. Anthony also makes loans, but unlike Shylock .... . This thing of loans and many more of Antonio, Shylock does not go down.
    Do you think that one day, for that reason, Shylock is derived a spit in the face of Anthony. Shylock has a reaction ... but think that maybe .... And think about it. Seize the opportunity to have Antonio as its debtor. Devises a daring and bizarre plan for its money does not pretend money, but .... Of course all this if at the end, Antonio, does not return the full amount.
    Antonio, to finance the project from Bassano, accept these strange conditions, before an official signing the contract.
    Bassano has the opportunity to travel to Belmont with Graziano (Kris Marshall).
    Meanwhile in Belmont, Portia is faced with three .... , And the suitors come to try to solve the mystery set up by his father before his death.

    Meanwhile, Shylock's daughter Jessica (Zuleikha Robinson) runs off with Bassanio's friend Lorenzo (Charlie Cox), brings with it .... . For Shylock, this is too much. Among other things, Lawrence is a ... (end of part one)    … Collapse

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 35
  3. Negative: 2 out of 35
  1. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Phil Hall
    10
    The single worst Shakespeare film ever made.
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  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Ray Bennett
    80
    Pacino gives a keenly measured performance, leading an excellent British cast through their paces in a richly colorful production that should please selective audiences and adds to the list of major film adaptations of Shakespeare's work.
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  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: David Rooney
    70
    Despite a series of disclaimers about the treatment of Jews in the 16th century, there's even less disguising onscreen than onstage that this is an uncomfortably anti-Semitic play and somewhat problematic for contempo audiences.
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