Pretty Good

Absolutely Fantastic

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

This film is very interesting, presenting the life of Casanova, a real historical character famous for his adventurous life and his numerous affairs in the form of a comedy. This is not the first time that the Venetians' libidinal life has served a movie that ranges from comic to romantic: we had the same recipe in "Dangerous Beauty", and these film had a much more beautiful and well-developed central female character. Interestingly, Oliver Platt is present in both films and some elements of the plot of "Casanova" were clearly inspired in this film. In fact, this deja vu sensation is one of the problems of this film, cutting off the interest it might have. The way the plot mixes flirtations and interests of various characters is not new either, being a common feature in this type of comedy.Francesca, character played by Sienna Miller, is a woman ahead of her time, certainly inspired by the dreamy and cultured Veronica Franco ("Dangerous Beauty" again lending elements to this film). The actress has done a satisfying job, but she never really looks beautiful or seductive. On the contrary, what seems to seduce Casanova is the intellectual challenge she represents and the fact that she is different from the others. This was well thought out but appears in the plot very smoothly, almost imperceptibly, and could have been more noticeable. In turn, Heath Ledger made an excellent Casanova, harmonizing well the adventurous and funny side of his character with his most romantic and idealistic side. Platt made a simple and easy role: the idiot who ends up doing well in life. The fact is that the actor used well the little that they gave him and made a very honorable performance. Jeremy Irons is not far behind. He is an actor of enormous talent and versatility that adapts well to comedy.The director of the film, Lasse Hallström, exaggerates in some moments and didn't seem to be able to capture the true beauty and majesty of the baroque Venice. However, despite that, it makes a generally positive use of the city's landscape. The period costumes and baroque music were two of the things I most appreciated in the film: skillfully introduced and used, baroque music integrates well into the soundtrack and accompanies the entire film.

Fictionalized story based on the historical figure of Casanova. It's a chick flick with a decent cast that has little to work with. Heath Ledger is alright but it's a fluff part so don't expect much. Sienna Miller is pretty but forgettable. Jeremy Irons and Oliver Platt are slumming. Dolla dolla bill y'all! It's supposed to be a comedy but I didn't laugh once. I was bored throughout most of it. I hate to pick on it because it's not a poorly-made movie. Just not something that interests me much. If you're a big fan of Ledger or Miller, or if you just like these types of movies, you might enjoy this more than I did. Otherwise avoid it because it's not funny or sexy and certainly not romantic. It's just kind of there.

From director Lasse Hallström (What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Cider House Rules, Dear John), I had only heard about the 18th Century guy known for his numerous relations, so I had to see a film about it. Basically Giacomo Casanova (Heath Ledger) is in love with Francesca Bruni (Sienna Miller), but she thinks of him as a friend and he is engaged to Victoria (Natalie Dormer), and she is in love with Francesca's brother Giovanni (Stardust's Charlie Cox). Francesca meanwhile is meant to be marrying Paprizzio (Oliver Platt) who thinks Casanova is the feminist writer known as Guardi, but that is actually the pseudonym author name for her. There is a court case by the Catholic Church in amongst all these secret passions, identity problems and misunderstandings with Bishop Pucci (Jeremy Irons) leading it. Also starring Lena Olin as Andrea Bruni, Omid Djalili as Lupo, Stephen Grief as Donato, Ken Stott as Dalfonso, Tim McInnerny as The Doge, Philip Davis as Guardi and Helen McCrory as Casanova's Mother. Ledger was relatively good, and it was alright spotting the various faces along the way, and there was a fair amount of material seeing the famous character womanising, there could have been a bit more though, and the story is rather dull, so much so I didn't really get it all, a boring and not very funny period comedy. Adequate!

The character of Casanova is a great screen opportunity for historic and romantic films, dealing with the balance between morality and pleasure, between feminism and sexual conquest. Based on these premises the story in this version of Casanova creates an imaginary moment of romantic entanglement in the romantic career of the hero, having him fall for a beautiful feminist philosopher and Renaissance maid. Yet, despite all these starting points the Casanova version of Swedish director Lasse Hallström lacks spark and succeeds to be too boring and too expected, even while allowing to Heath Ledger to give one of the most complete roles of his too short career and despite enjoying the participation of Jeremy Irons in a supporting role. The story in the film stays too much within the limits of the conventional historic comedy, and simply lacks the sex-appeal viewers expect from a film about Casanova. We are left with the beautiful landscape of Venice, and the poignant performance of Ledger, but this is not enough to make this film one to remember.