| | Casanova (2006) | |
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Description
CASONOVA is loosely based on the memoirs of the writer, adventurer, and infamous lover Giacomo Casanova themselves notably unreliable and fortunately has no pretensions to historical realism. Instead, its a witty, lighthearted romantic comedy, which uses its 18th century setting and renowned hero as a jumping-off point for sexy banter and ruminations on love, lust, and freedom. Directed with visual flair and wit by Lasse Hallstrom a master of classy period pieces like CHOCOLAT and CIDER HOUSE RULES the movie was filmed on location in Venice, and the stunningly gorgeous scenery is almost a character in its own right. Heath Ledger, believable and engaging here in a role that couldnt be more different from his powerhouse performance in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, turns on all of his considerable charms here. Abandoned by his mother as a child, Casanova has grown into a lascivious yet oddly innocent young man, who pursues pleasure wholeheartedly and mistakes lust for love. His biggest concern is eluding Italys puritanical Inquisitors, until he meets Francesca Bruni (Sienna Miller), a beauty who publishes clever pamphlets on womens rights under a pen name. In the time-honoured tradition, Casanova is instantly smitten with the one woman in Venice who doesnt want anything to do with him. The plot provides few surprises, but that is beside the point; the pleasures of CASANOVA are in its warm freewheeling tone, its sumptuous visuals, and the cheerful exuberance of its actors. In addition to Ledgers winning star turn, Lena Olin is her usual mesmerising self as Francescas scheming mother, and the reliably excellent Oliver Platt (as Francescas overmatched fiance) and Jeremy Irons (as the frustrated head Inquisitor) both deliver deft comic performances.
Casanova Review
Having recently wooed Jake Gyllenhaal in "Brokeback Mountain", Heath Ledger turns his attention to the fairer sex in this impressive looking romcom about the world's greatest lover. Set in 1750's Venice, the film finds expert swordsman Casanova (Ledger) in a pickle. He's being chased by the feared Inquisition because of his lascivious ways, the Doge (Tim McInnerney) of the city is forcing his to get married and he owes a fair few Lira to the cities various merchants. And Casanova then goes and compounds it all by falling in love with spirited feminist Francesca (Sienna Miller) who keeps pretending to be a bloke.
While no-one will ever accuse director Lasse Hallstrom's movie of being an accurate historical account of Casanova's life, this is still a reasonably fun and fluffy piece. Ledger is charm personified in the title role while Miller performs adequately given her first lead. But it's the turns of Omid Djalili and Jeremy Irons as Casanova's servant and the Inquisition's Bishop Pucci respectively that really catch the eye and provide some crucial laughs.
Venice, as always provides an eye-catching backdrop to the action and the location does lend the movie some much needed historical gravitas as things quickly descend into farce. There's only so much one can do with cases of mistaken identity in movies and Hallstrom really pushes the envelope here as Casanova takes on at least three other aliases as he tries to worm his way out of trouble and into Francesca's heart. Confused? You probably will be.
Feeling at times like "Carry On Casanova", this latest outing raises some laughs but it's certainly not a movie you're likely to form a long and lasting relationship with.
Special Features
Creating An Adventure Behind The Scenes Look At The Casanova Set And Interviews With The Cast And Crew, Dressing In Style, Extended Sequence Hidden In Plain Sight, Visions Of Venice, Director Audio Commentary
Technical Details
Region 2
Running Time: 112 minutes
Production Year: 2005
Main Language: English
Genre: Miscellaneous
Certificate: 12 Suitable for Persons Aged 12 or Over
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
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