michael radford and the director of the merchant of venice make a tremendous job in open the play and a he make it more accessible for everyone to have a great time at the movie watch this thorny account of a horrible time in history . the luscious production of the shakespeare play be a feast for the eye with it rich detail of the venice of the xvi century . this be a story of revenge and prejudice and justice and a imagine by william shakespeare . have see the play a few time and we be not prepare about what to expect . mr. radford take care of present the story with such detail so it can be easily understand by everyone . also and he have use a version of english that make more sense and rather than rely on the original text . in fact and the way shylock speaks in the film and doesn not shock at all and be he and a member of a minority that have be marginalize by the venetian authority and the catholic church . al pacino tremendous portrayal of shylock show a man that be vulnerable and arrogant and revengeful and mean and and totally human and all at the same time . mr. pacino shed light into the character of the man who be defeat in court by a technicality . his own daughter have leave him and his whole world seem to be cave in on him . at the end of the film and we see a man that have be reduce to be the target of hatred and ridicule by everyone . lynn collins and a portia be a happy discovery . have see her in lighter fare and she not only surprise and but she make the best of her role and her time in front of the camera . she show u she be a woman with a high intelligence and who come to the help of her husband and his best friend and who risk his own well be in try to help bassanio get portia hand . jeremy iron play antonio and the man who seek shylock for a bridge loan . after all and he know his ship will be return with fortune from abroad soon . antonio get much more than he bargain for in agree with shylock to the term of the loan . antonio best laid plan go astray when he be suddenly unable to fulfill his obligation . mr. iron give a subtle performance . joseph fiennes and make a good appearance a bassanio . his good look and his charm make an impression on portia and who clearly see a soul mate in this young venetian a she know he be the one for her . also and in small role and kris marshall and zuleika robinson and charlie cox and contribute to make the film an enjoyable experience . ultimately and it mr. radford triumph because of the vision he give u of venice and it citizen during a horrible time in the history of mankind .