The Merchant of Venice

I have had a weakness for Shakespeare all my life, but I consider the “Merchant of Venice" to be one of his more average plays. The theme is full of bravado (if you can mention bravado when writing about a social-issues fairytale about a dandy deep in debt who even gets his best friend - a xenophobic hypocrite - indebted to a revengeful Jew so they could both find happiness and not pay even a symbolic cent of their debt), but the treatment, which mainly in the style of his other forgettable love comedies, is really unsuitable. It means that this is neither a comedy or a drama. But I have to admit that Radford did a much better job of it than I had expected. Even though the acting ensemble probably has a lot to do with that. (08/07/2009)

At a time when with every new Shakespeare adaptation, the question arises whether it will be modernized, turned into a musical, or transformed into a teenage version (all options suit me), Michael Radford dared to take a bold step - he filmed the movie exactly according to the original. That's why it took me a while to accept the audacity and slight verbosity of the theatrical dialogues, but since Pacino's divine acting could captivate me even if he played in the silliest movie and I also appreciate Fiennes' modest expression and Irons' sad gaze, I was left with great satisfaction after the final credits. However, this is by no means a film for everyone, Shakespeare's extreme romance is used here to a large extent and those who do not appreciate sentimental endings or dialogues might give up on the film disgustedly even before its halfway point. (12/12/2006)

An outstanding adaptation about spoiled noble prima donas and a fair-minded Jewish money-lender who the law wants to cheat out of what is rightly his. These days this story has completely different contours than when it was first written. Radford’s directing is sure-handed and, in acting terms, this is a recital where Al Pacino clearly rules. You can’t help rooting for him. (07/12/2019)

My favourite Shakespeare play, I looked forward to seeing it adapted to film as a child. And they did a good job! Shylock, played by Al Pacino, is a treat. I don't understand how anyone wouldn’t root for him. A perfect adaptation in every sense. Beautiful cinematography and music. (09/11/2009)