Writer-director Michael Radford (IL POSTINO) attempts to recuperate Shylock, Shakespeare's notoriously merciless Jewish moneylender, by transforming him from villain to tragic victim. However, in the process he forgets that the play, for all its ugliness, is meant to be played as a comedy. Venice, 1596. Intent on wooing Portia (Lynn Collins), his lady love, but lacking the funds to do so in high style, Bassanio (Joseph Fiennes) turns to his best friend, wealthy Venetian merchant Antonio (Jeremy Irons), for a loan of 3000 ducats. Antonio, who's been waiting for a fleet of merchant ships to arrive home with his fortune, doesn't have the money on hand but allows Bassani...
Released:
2004
Rated:
R
Length:
131 mins