it be a risky business to film such a lavish production of the merchant of venice . it could be a stodgy and wooden and period piece and or it could be laughable for it excess . this version be neither . while i be not completely sell by al pancino very restrained shylock and he do give a competent and honorable performance . jeremy iron antonio and be a always with his tortured self role and rivet . some of the less role seem to be a little to much in the spirit of boisterous fun and a boy own venician adventure story and but the central plot be efficiently and sympathetically move forward through the film . it go without say and that the location shot and costume and and interior be breathtaking and almost to the point of distraction . one thing and on which i do not wish to comment on and be the anti semetic content of the play . the film be as sympathetic to the predicament of the jew a possible while still portray shylock a the instrument of his own self destruction . it be a sad comment that four century later and the director of this film find it necessary to comment on his nuanced view before the premiere screen at the toronto film fest . this be a beautiful film and and i look forward to several viewing .