Wed., Dec. 29, 2004 12:00 AM PST
Sometimes hearing actors garble their accents is more painful than giving up a pound of flesh.
Al Pacino's Shylock speak--a chunky stew of dialects, from Bronx to Odessa--is no different in Michael Radford's adaptation of Shakespeare's ever-controversial story. And that's when he's not chewing the scenery. But if you can get past that (or maybe plug your ears every now and then), this film possesses the right touch.
Jeremy Irons as Antonio (the Venetian merchant of the title) is sensitive, and Lynn Collins makes a strong, almost magnetic, Portia, outshining the mild
Joseph Fiennes as her suitor Bassanio. Some elements are toned down (due to length, no doubt), but the climatic trial scene retains full impact, with the actors giving it their all. Overall,
Merchant's a pretty good deal.
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