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Casanova

2005, Movie, R, 108 mins

Casanova: Review

CASANOVA
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A light, sugar-dusted farce built around the dashing figure of iconic womanizer Giovanni Giacomo Casanova de Seingalt (Heath Ledger), Lasse Hallstrom's tepid farce, written by Jeffrey Hatcher and Kimberly Simi, both whitewashes the legendary lover and lacks the wicked wit that makes historical romps like Richard Lester's THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1973) sparkle. Venice, 1753: The exploits of rakish ladies' man Casanova (Heath Ledger), not yet 30, are already the stuff of satirical puppet shows and naughty plays. Since he enjoys the protection of the Doge of Venice (Tim McInnerny), Casanova hasn't yet fallen into the hands of the Inquisition, whose representatives deplore debauchery. But after a particularly brazen incident at a nunnery, the Doge is forced to rein Casanova in and orders him to maintain the appearance of decorum by entering into a respectable marriage or find himself banished from Venice forever. Casanova, who revels in the sights, sounds and tastes of Venice, sets his practical sights on well-bred, unexpectedly hot-blooded virgin Victoria (Natalie Dormer). But complications await: Victoria already has a secret admirer, shy Giovanni (Charlie Cox), who considers Victoria his, even though he's never so much as spoken to her. And Casanova falls hard for Giovanni's sister, Francesca (Sienna Miller), the only woman in Italy who wants no part of his celebrated charms. A bold freethinker, Francesca can outduel and outdebate most men — she's even written a pseudonymous philosophical treatise that views the world through a woman's eyes. Not only does Casanova's reputation repel her, but Francesca is bound to marry portly Genovese lard merchant Paprizzio (Oliver Platt), whom she's never met; their alliance, arranged by her pragmatic mother (Lena Olin), will ensure the family's financial security. The stage is set for a sizzling romance in Taming of the Shrew style, played out against the backdrop of overlapping intrigue and mistaken identities. But Ledger and Miller fail to supply the fire: He's only adequate and Miller is so vapid she hardly needs taming. The feisty supporting cast is forced to carry the show, and fortunately, they're more than up to it, notably Olin, Platt and Jeremy Irons, as the puritanical Inquisitor charged with looking after the Pope's interests in Venice. They supply some much-needed effervescence and brighten every scene in which they appear. leave a comment --Maitland McDonagh
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