Casanova

'Casanova' is a funny Venecian comedy that has a good doze of romance, humour, drama and colour. Yes, the sets and costumes are pleasantly colourful. The art direction deserves credit. Even though the sets look theatrical, it fits with the presentation. The whimsical score adds energy. The editing is mostly good but the film does drag a little in the middle. In terms of story, there isn't anything new (which is the usual case with romantic comedies) and I would have liked to see the love blossom between Casanova and Francesca after they find out each other's identity and also how Casanova resists his 'urge' to be with other women in order to be faithful to Francesca. The dialogues are witty and amusing. Heath Ledger fits the part and effectively pulls off the title role. Sienna Miller is unrecognizable but still pretty. She may arguably be a little too young for the part but is still vivacious and her youth adds to the stubbornness of the character. Lena Olin has a graceful presence. Oliver Platt is hilarious. The romantic track between Paprizzio and Andrea is among the most endearing and funniest moments. Omid Djalili is great as the sidekick. Jeremy Irons is good too. 'Casanova' isn't pathbreaking cinema but it would make for a good date movie or a Sunday night/rainy day film. It's colorfully vibrant. It's funny. It's nice to look at.

When Disney Studios wants to produce a film that definitely is not for children, it is produced under the name Touchstone. Pretty Woman with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere is a Touchstone film!... And of course, so is CASANOVA.

With Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight) in the title role and Jeremy Irons, Lena Olin and Oliver Platt also in the cast, Casanova is a film that has a lot to offer. Visually, both the scenes of Venice and the photography, in general,are exquisite. The costumes also demonstrate great variety and are quite impressive.

Several of the storyline situations and characters are extremely humorous. The interpretations rendered by Jeremy Irons and Oliver Platt are truly fabulous. True, most of the historical references do not match reality, but, after all, it is a comedy....and most important of all, it's a rousingly entertaining movie!

Of course, there are romantic elements in the story development. (With a title like Casanova, could it possibly be any different?) Even the music is spot on to transport viewers back to 1758!.....

ENJOY! / DISFRUTELA!

Any comments, questions or observations, in English o en Español, are most welcome !

Who cares if the plot adheres to the facts, this is a lighthearted movie not intended to be take seriously! It is a romp around the most beautiful city in the world. The wonderful music carefully selected and very well performed is just a joy, and the actors all camp it up with a wealth of nuance, subtlety and verve. It conveys all the joy of life of this city and this period when noblemen and lesser mortals dressed up and paraded the canal-sides and passages and bridges, masked to preserve identity and equality.

Almost a Moulin Rouge backdrop at times with almost circus-like pranks. Not intended to be taken seriously-get it? A romp, a party, an opera, and wonderful fun.

...why this movie wasn't (a) marketed right in the first place, (b) isn't being re-released right now!?

Trust me, as someone who works in this industry, I'm darn picky about what I like...but I liked this, despite wincing over the many historical inaccuracies and liberties taken with authentic language of the time - 'Casanova' is such a fun, feel-good romp, it charmed me into turning a blind eye and deaf ear and chalking all that up to necessary 'poetic licence'! The cast is fabulous, the late Heath Ledger is at his charismatic best...and BECAUSE he's no longer with us makes re-releasing it 'right' this time around a 'no-brainer', so far as I can see (for example; why it made it's Stateside debut on Christmas day baffles me completely - unless it was intended for Academy Award inclusion?). Clearly, this was/should have been a Summer dating flick...for both the typical dating demographic (= late teens/early twenties) AS WELL AS 'baby-boomers', who will appreciate the fine acting performances from the likes of Jeremy Irons, Oliver Platt and Lena Olin, as well as enjoy the witty banter. It needs to be promoted as the 'period romp'/romantic comedy it IS, without being depicted as simply stupid (e.g. without excessive trailer cameos of characters falling off gondolas into the canals and/or slipping on bananas, etc!). The right trailer, the right time of year, the right riding-on-Heath's-sadly-gone-forever-coat-tails PR push, and this movie could be a 'sleeper hit' yet!

I read here that in the USA this film got an R rating, not PG-13, as ¨director Hallström wanted, only because of something that is suggested is happening under a table. In the Netherlands, where it had it's premiere yesterday, the rating is for over 5 year olds, so that says enough for whom this movie really is. I was at first a little disappointed to find out that this is not a historical movie, but a slapstick comedy, but I loved the settings (Venice and Vicenza,where they made a scene in the famous Teatro Olimpico, which is supposed to be a Venice University in the movie) and the music which is mostly baroque (Vivaldi, Albinoni, Händel, Rameau, Paisiello and a few more) and as a baroque music lover I thoroughly enjoyed the movie just only for the music alone. This must be one of the first-ever costume farce movies, but if you forget all the movies like Shakespeare in love or Pride and Prejudice and take this movie for it's own merits, it is a thoroughly rewarding experience. There was a lot of laughing by the audience and I found myself laughing more than in any movie I remember. It is thoroughly entertaining from first to last minute, but devout Catholics will find it insulting, as it makes fun of the Catholic Church, but it should be quite evident to everyone, also devout catholics, that the story is not to be taken too seriously, so why being bothered by it? The movie can actually be considered as a modern version of an opera buffa. Obviously there is a romantic plot and by all the farce and hilariousness I would say that the romantic element gets snowed under, but, as said, you have to accept this movie for what it is and concentrate on the lavish settings, costumes, music, the fun, and you will want to see it many more times, like me.