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SYNOPSIS __________
Plot:
In Venice, young Bassanio needs a loan of 3,000 ducats so
that he can properly woo a wealthy heiress of Venice named
Portia. To get the necessary funds, Bassanio approaches his
friend Antonio, a merchant. Antonio's money, unfortunately,
is invested in merchant ships that are presently at sea; however,
to help Bassanio, Antonio arranges for a short-term loan of
the money from Shylock, a Jewish usurer. Shylock has a deep-seated
hatred for Antonio because of the insulting treatment that
Antonio has shown him in the past. When pressed, Shylock strikes
a frightening bargain in wicked humor: the 3,000 ducats must
be repaid in three months, or Shylock will exact a pound of
flesh from Antonio. The merchant agrees to this, confident
in the return of his ships before the appointed date of repayment.
At this stage of the play, Portia is introduced: due to her
father's will, all suitors must choose from among three coffers—one
of which contains a portrait of her. If a man chooses the
right one, he may marry Portia; however, if he chooses wrong,
he must vow never to marry or even court another woman. Princes
of Morocco and Arragon fail this test and are turned away.
As Bassanio prepares to travel to Belmont for the test, his
friend Lorenzo elopes with Jessica, Shylock's daughter (who
escapes with a fair amount of Shylock's wealth in the process).
Bassanio chooses the lead casket, which is the correct one,
and happily agrees to marry Bassanio that very night.
In contrast to this happiness, Antonio finds himself in a
pinch. Two of his ships have already wrecked in transit, and
Antonio's creditors—including the vengeance-minded Shylock—are
grumbling about repayment. Word comes to Bassanio about Antonio's
predicament, and he hastens back to Venice, leaving Portia
behind. Portia, however, travels after him with her maid,
Nerissa; they disguise themselves as a lawyer and clerk, respectively.
When Bassanio arrives, the loan is in default and Shylock
is demanding his pound of flesh. Even when Bassanio (backed
now by Portia's inheritance) offers many times the amount
in repayment, Shylock, now distraught and semi-deranged with
the loss of his daughter, is intent on seeking his fullest
revenge. The duke, who sits in judgement, will not intervene.
Portia enters in her guise as a lawyer to defend Antonio.
Through a technicality, Portia declares that Shylock may have
his pound of flesh so long as he draws no blood (since there
was no mention of this in the original agreement). And, since
it is obvious that to draw a pound of flesh would take Antonio's
life, Shylock has conspired to murder a Venetian citizen;
he has forfeited his wealth as well as his loan. Half is to
go to the city, and half is to go to Antonio.
In the end, Antonio gives back his half of the penalty on
the condition that Shylock bequeath it to his disinherited
daughter, Jessica. Shylock also must convert to Christianity.
A broken and defeated Shylock accepts in a piteously moving
scene. As the play ends, news arrives that Antonio's remaining
ships are returned to port; with the exception of the humiliated
Shylock, all will share in a happy ending.
DETAILS__________
Studio:
Sony Pictures Classics
Arclight Films
Based on:
The play by William Shakespeare
Release Date:
December 29, 2004 (NY/LA)
RELATED LINKS__________
OFFICIAL SITE: The Merchant of Venice (International)
themerchantofvenicemovie.com --- CLICK
HERE
OFFICIAL SITE: The Merchant of Venice (UK)
mgm.com/uk/merchantofvenice --- CLICK
HERE
OFFICIAL SITE: The Merchant of Venice Soundtrack Info
deccaclassics.com --- CLICK
HERE
OFFICIAL SITE: Sony Pictures Classics
sonyclassics.com --- CLICK
HERE
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