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Merchant Of Venice: Pacino, Irons, Fiennes and loads more

114.78.59.41

This rather sumptuous film, actually made in 2004, all shadows and flickering flames is real treat.
To start, it doesn't falter from the anti-semitism shown in the original, not that the play is, but Venice (and Europe in general) certainly was and Shylock is referred to as "jew" to his face all the way through, so if you are sensitive to that, then be prepared.
But Shylock (Pacino in full acting regalia) is revealed as a tragic figure consumed by vengeance to the point of self destruction. As a morality tale of the effects of hate it can't be beaten.
The whole cast are very good (spot the refugee from The Office... British version...) and I would single out Lynn Collins as Portia, someone I didn't know before as both very good and perhaps a future addition to many a middle aged man's wish list(!).

The opening scenes set the look of the film as the interiors disappear (sometimes to an almost solarised effect on colours... uinless it was ME!!!???) into shadow and damp, whilst the cast look to have come from the Keith Richards school of wasted rock'n'roll chic, all old leather and unironed lace and velvet.
British viewers can spot a reasonably disguised John Sessions and Gregor Fisher(!!!).

Follow Ups:

Searching for Richard... - musetap 23:37:03 07/12/09 (3)
The Pacino/Willie the Shake connection explored in a remarkable combination of documentary & film making - also with a marvelous cast,
much humor, passion and... New York ... is something you may enjoy as well, seeing how you appreciate MOV, much as I do.

Maybe also one of those films better appreciated the second time around. In my case MORE appreciated and enjoyed the second time around.

"A hoss! A hoss! My kingdom for a hoss!"

� The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils; The motions of his spirit are dull as the night... Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music � - William Shakespeare
- Replace "Searching" with "Looking" for Richard. Man, I'm losing it...N/T - musetap 11:58:02 07/14/09 (0)
  N/T
  � The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils; The motions of his spirit are dull as the night... Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music � - William Shakespeare
- It was a surprise - Dave Mester 12:40:13 07/13/09 (0)
  Happened to catch it, never heard of it, and it's one of the most personal and interesting documentaries, revelatory of Pacino as a shakespearean. He is really good, and the idea for the film was brilliant, and if you think about it, it doesn't make hollywood look too hot, which is probably why it has been overlooked.
  __
  
  Probability is probably the key to life.
  
  Edits: 07/13/09
- Agree. A mostly overlooked gem. nt - tinear 07:20:31 07/13/09 (0)
  d

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