Alright folks, let’s talk about a film that had me at the edge of my seat and slightly confused at times — “The Merchant of Venice.” This isn’t your typical Hollywood flick, it’s an adaptation of Shakespeare, so you know it’s got loads of drama, political incorrectness, and some deeply woven themes.

So you got Al Pacino as Shylock. Yep, the guy who was Scarface. This time around, he’s doing Shakespeare, and can I just say, wow! He’s like a mix of old school mafia and tragic, misunderstood hero. His performance is definitely something special, but I kept thinking, “Man, this isn’t the usual Al we know.” It takes some getting used to, but it’s totally worth it.

Now, Jeremy Irons as Antonio — flawless. Not much to say here other than I believed him every single second. But let’s move to the ladies, shall we? Lynn Collins as Portia is a breath of fresh air. She’s strong, witty, and absolutely nails the courtroom scene. That reminded me of those intense moments we sometimes have at Swedish family dinners, ya know? When someone brings up a touchy subject and all hell breaks loose.

One of my personal memories tied to this film’s theme is from high school. We had to read Shakespeare, and honestly, I didn’t get it. But then I saw a live performance at Dramaten in Stockholm. It just clicked. This film runs in that same vein, taking something dense and making it digestible — but still complex enough to chew on for a while.

The sets? Majestically Venetian, with canals and masked balls that take you right to 16th century Italy. But, some scenes felt a bit drawn out, like they could’ve used a good snip-snip in the editing room. This is no action-packed ride, though. It’s a slow burn, so if you’re into something more fast-paced, you might find yourself checking your watch.

But you know what? Even with its flaws, this adaptation offers a contemporary conversation on themes like prejudice, justice, and mercy. It’s sort of timeless, and maybe that’s why we keep coming back to Shakespeare. He had a way of touching on stuff that’s still relevant, kind of like ABBA’s music — it just sticks.

So would I recommend “The Merchant of Venice”? Yep, especially if you’re into films that make you think. It’s not everyday viewing, maybe save it for a rainy Swedish Sunday with some lördagsgodis – The Merchant of Venice