Casanova

"Casanova" is a delightful comic farce that uses a period setting for an amusing cross between "The Princess Bride," "Much Ado About Nothing" and the spirit of "The Marriage of Figaro" (not at all "Don Giovanni" that is based on the same legend).

Director Lasse Hallström gets the romantic romp tone right here, compared to what he did not achieve in "Chocolat." He establishes from the opening that this is just fun opera buffo, with frequent sight gags and commedia dell'arte troupes and Punch and Judy-type puppet shows broadly commenting on the action, though it took four writers to stitch together the broad double entendres and winks at Shakespeare, from, appropriately, "Merchant of Venice", to "The Merry Wives of Windsor" to "Taming of the Shrew."

Heath Ledger has grown up since he first demonstrated he had the light touch for romantic comedy in the teen version of "Shrew," "10 Things I Hate About You," and he's much more confident now. One of the cute conceits of the film is that the women are the aggressors, especially the virgins and novices. As the title character, he modestly claims that his success is solely due to his ability to submit. While he's not particularly leonine in the frequent shots of him lounging on a divan, he is dashing as he runs around Venice taking on several different mistaken identities. If his clinch with Jake Gyllenhaal in "Brokeback Mountain" wouldn't already qualify him for an MTV Best Kiss this year, the big one with Sienna Miller could earn a nomination.

Miller is a bit young for her role as a Portia-like "transvestite" philosopher defending the rights of women, but her youth makes her brash earnestness seem more charmingly naïve. As her lively mother, Lena Olin provides the older woman ballast, without the usual sex-starved widow stereotypes.

Oliver Platt should be signed immediately to do a major production of "Falstaff," as he deftly and physically plays that character type, here a lard mogul representative of mercantile Genoa, even more deliciously and sympathetically than he has in "Ice Harvest" and "Huff."

Jeremy Irons has fun playing the Inquisitor, representing religious Rome, whose purple robes fit right in at a carnivale masquerade ball.

The look of the film helps enormously, with the best use of Venice as a sensuously unique setting since "Dangerous Beauty," not just for the usual gondolas and canals, but the steps, plazas, architecture, roofs, narrow streets, alleys and the light. The wigs and costumes are wonderfully colorful.

The marvelous stitching together of Baroque music keeps the mood merry, with overtures and dances from eight Jean-Philippe Rameau operas, six Italian composers, including of course Vivaldi, as well as snatches of Handel and Telemann added at appropriate water and fireworks moments.

Upon its release,I wasn't sure about it,and my uncertainty was further heightened when it received mixed response.So,I waited until It came out on DVD charts to watch it.And frankly,I liked this period piece.

Even though it plays out more like a parody of the legend,it's not at all bad.It's rather amusing and really hilarious.With often silly but really rib tickling situations.

Casanova.Legend among the venetian city,and of course the ladies.The film chronicles the life of Casanova who knows how to get a woman laid on bed for pleasure,as he rises to fame through lies,deception,heresy,and mistaken identities.But it comes a day,when he finds his true love and it seems that a man that no women has ever rejected finally meets his match.And so he tries everything to get her.And finds true love within.

With a fresh and modern approach to the legend,it does no harm at all,and it's more fun to watch this semi-biography.It features some outlandish Production designing.Exquisitely designed sets and costumes,makes this film look rich.It's got impressive script with hilarious results.And an able directing.Hallstorm makes the film look really colorful and the setting lively.It's even got a sumptuous score.

Of course ,with its humor and execution,people will often compare this to Shakespeare in Love.Yes,it is similar in some ways,but it's a completely different experience overall.While that film was smartly funny.This film is silly fun.The silliness is allover the film.But it makes the bumbling characters all the more likable.It is a commendable film.

It is fresh,light on humor,outstandingly funny,and sometimes even sweet.Which makes you wonder why this film got a R rating? It wasn't all that grotante in its content.It played out more like a hard edged PG-13.

The film's tone and pacing is quick to admire.It's very likable.Largely due its settings and of course it's cast.One from the supporting actors really help it be more enjoyable.This offering from Disney is worth spending time on.It's fun,that's one thing for sure.

The cast superbly fills out their roles and help make Casanova so enjoyable.In particular Omid Djalili,who is just wonderfully funny.He is simply the one who offers snort out laughs without a hitch.His presence alone gives you belly laughs.As the bumbling sidekick ,he's just absolutely hysterical.

Heath Ledger as the playboy couldn't be more perfect.He is a charm to watch.And seems to be having more fun and feels more comfortable here,when compared to the dark,tragic performance he gave in Brokeback Mountain.

Sienna Miller was a complete surprise.She really catches your attention.She's gorgeous and adorable.And plays out her role with confidence.Only,she can't match the performance Gwyneth Paltrow gave in Shakespeare in Love.

Oliver Platt is hysterical.He injects fun to his scenes.And the scenes with him and Casanova with his sidekick Lupo are the highlights.Jeremy Irons and Lena Olin were fine.

Althogether,an entertaining period piece that is aided by the great actors involved and fun to be had.Sure,it's silly ,it's unfocused and flawed.But it is an modernistic version of the Legend and it plays that way just fine.It may be farcy,but it's a delightfully delicious romantic comedy romp.Just enjoy it.

...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 just saw Casanova. I read most of the comments here before I went to see it and honestly I was on my way to give up on it. I had fun. I laughed and enjoyed it. One thing though: this is a comedy. If you are in search or a historical, accurate description of the famous Casanova then you are on the wrong path. Some people here said Jeremy Irons was... over-acting? Come on.. give him the merit he deserves as a great actor that he is. He was enjoying his role. I could almost see him laughing on the set after the director shouts out Cut! The only dramatic moment towards the end of the movie seemed to be there just to reinforce the comedy picture after it. Sienna Miller seemed a bit uneasy to me at the beginning with the speech in the University.. I loved the costumes and the settings. It definitely makes you think of buying a ticket to Venice. (Again!) Sensual? 10% Love story? 40% Comedy? The rest. So I say, if you are in the mood for something light, give it a chance and laugh :) And let us agree to disagree, shall we?

CASANOVA is a delightful comedy and farce with a tremendous cast of very talented actors. Heath Ledger is a wonderful and witty CASANOVA, Sienna Miller delivers a delicious performance, and Jeremy Irons, Oliver Platt and Lena Olin all add to the humorous plot and story. This film is fun to watch and see the romp through Venice as CASANOVA jumps from one roof top to another in a very beautifully photographed film.

Lasse Hallstrom has directed a film which showcases the beauty of Venice in a romantic comedy that has beautiful sets and costumes. The ride in the hot air balloon is a cinematic moment which captures the adventures of CASANOVA and his attempt to woo the woman he really loves.

The dialog, pace of the film and the colorful ending makes CASANOVA a story worth watching and with a cast that is simply out of this world. And Heath Ledger and Sienna Miller provide CASANOVA with just the right amount of romance and adventure. Bravo, CASANOVA.