Wonderful character development!

Awesome Movie

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

This is a lovely little feel-good film featuring a bunch of memorable performances from Heath Ledger, Sienna Miller (and a particularly brilliant one from Jeremy Irons), among others. The films offers a rather playful take on the life of the notorious womanizer Giacomo Casanova and tells us about his one true love, a strong-headed Venetian lady with feministic views, and the pains that the 18th century libertine takes to possess her, as a ruthless inquisitor, appointed by the pope, tries to execute him on the charges of heresy. A guilty pleasure of sorts with little historical significance, Casanova is nonetheless a must watch for the late Heath Ledger fans!For more on the world of cinema, please visit my film blog "A Potpourri of Vestiges".

One of the most beautifully made 18th century productions I have ever seen set in the most stunning city in the world. Costume was exquisite and so much attention to detail in every corner of the film. A fantastic cast of actors who were all excellent. I was not expecting a historical documentary about Casanova, but what I did get was the most beautifully historically accurate film with regards to location and costume. Sadly however the film was utterly spoilt for me, especially towards the end, with the most dreadful slapstick comedy which really detracted from the quality of this production. This film very nearly got switched off 10 minutes before the end. Such a waste of a fantastic opportunity. So near and yet so far.

Obviously, the opinions about this film varied tremendously (see the other comments), but I loved this film. Hallstrom's deft touch and an assemblage of fantastic actors plying their crafts with such refinement and delicacy makes this film a pleasing farce set in an enchanting Venice. The period music was just fine and the beautiful buildings took me back to the artistic sensibilities of the age. I love how the script addressed the mores of the times, with special tweaks at the religious institutions and the gender standards, not to mention the proprieties of relationships and sexual behavior. Special kudos to Oliver Platt, whose character is larger than life--figuratively and corporeally.

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!