MovieChat Forums > The Merchant of Venice (2005) Discussion > Lynn Collins and Heather Goldenhersh are...

Lynn Collins and Heather Goldenhersh are practically unwatchable in this

posted 15 years ago by NotPaviLargo
8 replies | jump to latest

Watching Lynn Collins (Portia) & Heather Goldenhersh (Nerissa) do Shakespeare is one of the more excruciating experiences in life. They both had the dreaded 'Shakespeare voice', where every word becomes overly precious and is delivered in emotionless received pronunciation. I was so disappointed, particularly as Portia is one of Shakespeare's strongest female characters, and this silly Collins woman made her into a blushing, giggling moron when she wasn't being totally robotic.

It's a shame, because Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons were on the other end of the acting spectrum - they were brilliant in this.

"And I am still not getting what I WANT!"
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[–] graypascoe67 14 years ago

Agreed. Actually, most of the cast were dreadful lol. Mackenzie Crook was the worst. Another Shakespeare film for people who don't care about Shakespeare. But at least they can tick it off on their list and pretend they know what they're talking about.

[–] Blueghost 14 years ago

I didn't think the cast was so bad.

[–] redskiesmaxx 13 years ago

Kate Winslet would have made a perfect Portia.

Although you can always watch Gemma Jones in the superb 1980 BBC television production if you want to see a real actress demonstrating how Portia should be played.

[–] chicagosuspense 12 years ago

Excellent comment. I absolutely agree.

[–] kayla_neopian 12 years ago

UGH! The "Shakespeare Voice" don't even get me started on how awful those two were with it...wanted to shoot myself. Like you said, Irons (the only reason I was even interested in the movie...made me read the play first) and Pacino were fantastic. Pacino should have been nominated for an Oscar he was so good.

Remember this days, boys. Remember this day.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 12 years ago

I very much liked Collins as Portia and thought she managed the role and diction well. Goldenhersh was passable as Nerissa though not unwatchable.

A man chases a woman until she catches him

[–] gsybe 11 years ago

hers is the only performance i've seen but i thought she did a very good job as portia. i totally believed she was an evil *beep*

[–] scrapmetal7 8 years ago

That is all.