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The fictional story begins with an old Casanova (Heath Ledger) writing his memoirs, divulging for the first time a secret love
affair between him and Francesca Bruni (Sienna Miller).
The legendary lover recalls his past, highlighting bedroom escapades with countless women from all walks of society, and escapes from bedrooms as he is pursued by the Inquisition. Shoeless in one foot, he flees a convent after a tryst with a novice, runs across rooftops, gets caught and is warned by his friend and protector, the Doge (Tim McInnerny) that he would be exiled if he doesn't marry right away. He finds a suitable bride in the virginal Victoria (Natalie Dormer), the object of longing of a neighbor, Giovanni Bruni (Charlie Cox) who then challenges Casanova to a duel. At the duel, Casanova's opponent is unmasked—Francesca, Giovanni's sister, fighting instead of her brother, an inferior swordsman. Casanova then falls hard for Francesca, genuinely loving for the first time; she, on the other hand, is smitten, too, unaware that he is Casanova who stands for everything she detests and writes about under a masculine pen-name.
Even if you see Casanova only for the
setting—Venice—it will be worth it. Never mind that this is but fiction, a salad mix of history and histrionics. The set and costumes reproduce 18th-century Venice, given life by good cinematography.
Through several screen versions, Casanova has been played by Bela Lugosi, Bob Hope, Peter O'Toole and Donald Sutherland and now by Heath Ledger of Autralia. Considering how well Ledger played the part of a gay cowboy in
Brokeback Mountain, he looks promising as an actor as he delivers an equally good performance
as a ladies' man in Casanova.
Miller's intensity as Francesca, however, is rendered almost comical when she strips off her fake moustache—something she does about three times on different occasions. The movie owes its never-a-dull-moment appeal to its fast pace and the good characterization even by secondary actors. The baroque soundtrack is perfect for both of the movie's mood and action.
For a movie with such a theme, Casanova is
notably restrained in depicting sex—there are no nudes or steamy bedroom scenes and the hero's exploits are portrayed in a light manner. Viewers must be aware, however, that
the movie is suffused with an anti-clerical view evident in both dialogue and imagery. The movie takes several digs at the Catholic Church, and while these may have been
done in a humorous and not vicious way, they could leave a damaging impression on minds not well-grounded in the faith.
For example: as Casanova flees the novice's cell, all the other nuns young and old peep out of theirs to bid a warm friendly farewell, as though no one is scandalized anymore by his presence in the convent. Even adults should watch this movie with caution.
(Date Reviewed: 24 February 2006)
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