Casanova (C+ or 2.5/4 stars)
Well, this film isn't Lasse Hallstrom's best, but it isn't awful. In 'Casanova', the fabled romantic (Heath Ledger) is engaged to Victoria (Natalie Dormer), who's the love of Giovanni, brother of Francesca (Sienna Miller). Casanova is in love with Francesca, writer of illegal feminist books; so illegal that she has to use the pen name of a man. Afraid that Francesca would find his reputation a turn off, Casanova pretends that he's a 'friend' of Casanova. Everyone is pretending to be someone else, whether it's for betterment of love, law, or social status. Great to look at, but way too goofy for its own good, 'Casanova' is a mixed bag of pure confection. It's a mildly fun ride. But it almost tries too hard to be lighthearted; tries too hard to 'not' take itself too seriously.
Venice, 1753: Casanova is failing to woo his potential love interests. Determined to find the real meaning of love, his eyes fall upon Francesca. But Casanova better watch out. Due to his lascivious acts, the Catholic Church is out to exile him from the city, lessen he settles down with 1 woman. Meanwhile, Casanova also has to deal with Francesca's mother (Lena Olin). Always looking for money & prestige, she has a right mind to set up her daughter with the wealthy Paprizzio (Oliver Platt, yes you read that correctly -- oy). Francesca doesn't want money. She wants true love with a man who shares or understands her feminist passion.
Paprizzio thinks Casanova is a male feminist writer, but that's obviously Francesca's nomme de plume! Furthermore, along with Casanova, the Catholic Church has a right mind to charge Guardi's writings as heresy (making Casanova & Francesca potential outlaws). When the truth about their real aliases slips out, both are sentenced to death (I know, severe). Will they escape this fate? How will Francesca's mother cope with this scandal? How will divine intervention play a certain part? If you can believe it, the plot thickens more so when a mysterious man enters the picture.
This film gets more things wrong, than it does right. The man playing the most legendary ladies man of all time - Heath Ledger - could have been stronger (not a good sign, right?). His suave baritone almost lulls us, at times. Also, while he is a sexy actor, he offers little sex appeal, here. Sienna Miller lends a focused performance. Alias' Lena Olin is occasionally funny as the concerned mom. Jeremy Irons (who plays Pucci) also brought a cheeky smile to my face. The film is of good humor; though I wouldn't call it smart. Some of the dialogue is amusing; some of it is witless & excruciating. The swordplay action is uneventful. Venice, its gondolas, the cinematography, costumes, & the set designs are gorgeous (like Hallstrom's Chocolat); but they steal the show from the too-frantic plot. OK film, nothing special.
Venice, 1753: Casanova is failing to woo his potential love interests. Determined to find the real meaning of love, his eyes fall upon Francesca. But Casanova better watch out. Due to his lascivious acts, the Catholic Church is out to exile him from the city, lessen he settles down with 1 woman. Meanwhile, Casanova also has to deal with Francesca's mother (Lena Olin). Always looking for money & prestige, she has a right mind to set up her daughter with the wealthy Paprizzio (Oliver Platt, yes you read that correctly -- oy). Francesca doesn't want money. She wants true love with a man who shares or understands her feminist passion.
Paprizzio thinks Casanova is a male feminist writer, but that's obviously Francesca's nomme de plume! Furthermore, along with Casanova, the Catholic Church has a right mind to charge Guardi's writings as heresy (making Casanova & Francesca potential outlaws). When the truth about their real aliases slips out, both are sentenced to death (I know, severe). Will they escape this fate? How will Francesca's mother cope with this scandal? How will divine intervention play a certain part? If you can believe it, the plot thickens more so when a mysterious man enters the picture.
This film gets more things wrong, than it does right. The man playing the most legendary ladies man of all time - Heath Ledger - could have been stronger (not a good sign, right?). His suave baritone almost lulls us, at times. Also, while he is a sexy actor, he offers little sex appeal, here. Sienna Miller lends a focused performance. Alias' Lena Olin is occasionally funny as the concerned mom. Jeremy Irons (who plays Pucci) also brought a cheeky smile to my face. The film is of good humor; though I wouldn't call it smart. Some of the dialogue is amusing; some of it is witless & excruciating. The swordplay action is uneventful. Venice, its gondolas, the cinematography, costumes, & the set designs are gorgeous (like Hallstrom's Chocolat); but they steal the show from the too-frantic plot. OK film, nothing special.