Casanova tells the much fictionalized story of Italy's infamous lover, Giacomo Casanova (Heath Ledger). The film takes place in the year 1753 when the city of Venice was a bizarre mixture of extremes. On one end of the scale were such things as the licentiousness of Carnivale; on the other was the Inquisition which Rome was keeping very much alive. Casanova toed a line between the two worlds, but often found himself on the wrong side of that line. The movie actually opens with such a stumble when he is discovered taking advantage of young novices in a nunnery.
The Doge of Venice (Tim McInnerny) comes to his rescue for what is patently not the first time, and tells him sternly that he must behave himself or face the dire consequences on his own. Casanova reluctantly teams with his manservant Lupo (Omid Djalili) to find a suitable match. He believes he's done so when he sees the ethereal Victoria (Natalie Dormer), the innocent daughter of a wealthy Venetian (Stephen Grief). His reputation unsurprisingly precedes him, and the father promptly turns down his request for the girl's hand. It's that same reputation, however, that causes Victoria to beg her father to change his mind.
Meanwhile, Victoria has long been worshiped from afar by the mooning Giovanni Bruni (Charlie Cox) who lives just across the canal. Bruni's sister Francesca (Sienna Miller) tries to push her shy brother into confessing his love, but he wants nothing to do with actions he seems to see as indelicate. In fact, his sister is more of a man than he is, which comes in handy when Giovanni challenges Casanova to a duel over Victoria's affections and finds himself hopelessly overmatched.
Francesca, who has no idea that the man her brother has challenged is Casanova himself, finds him intriguing. She knows there's no point in going any further, though, because she's betrothed to a man she's never met courtesy of a father who signed a contract on her behalf when she was a small child. The rich Genovese merchant Paprizzio (Oliver Platt) is, however, the answer to her impoverished family's prayers, and her mother, Andrea (Lena Olin) isn't about to let her forget it. She may not find it so easy to forget Casanova, though, when he in turn finds himself fascinated with her.
As these various threads of the story begin to interleave, Rome's most fearsome inquisitor, Bishop Pucci (Jeremy Irons), shows up in Venice. It seems that Casanova's reputation has gone well beyond the bounds of the city and the Catholic powers that be aren't thrilled that he's still on the loose. Of course, the Bishop is self-righteously pleased when it seems he can also bring a few heretics to justice along the way.
Heath Ledger and Sienna Miller are both very good in their roles, and both seem to fit right into the period of the piece (Ledger even manages to look good in a wig). Lena Olin is an eye-fluttering flirt, and Omid Djalili is just plain fun. Natalie Dormer conveys the sexual frustrations of the supposedly innocent Victoria, while Jeremy Irons captures the smug Bishop perfectly. But in the midst of these perfectly fine performances, Oliver Platt is a stand-out. His wide-eyed innocence and his earnest hopes are almost enough to make you feel bad for him. Almost.
The costumes and sets are sumptuous; the cinematography shows everything off beautifully. There are a few special effects fumbles, but on balance Casanova is a good looking film.
Casanova doesn't depict history, even the improbable one told by Casanova himself in his autobiography. There are some authentic elements not the least of which is the fact that the Inquisition really was after him, but the movie really can't be considered anything but fiction. Still, I suspect most people aren't going to see Casanova for educational purposes. I myself went to see performances that had been lauded and to hopefully be entertained. I got all that and then some, and recommend the movie accordingly.
POLITICAL NOTES: There will probably be some Catholics who find the depiction of the Catholic Church in Casanova to be offensive. The truth of the matter is that, of all the elements of the movie, those portions depicting the Inquisition and its inherent unreasonableness may be the most historically accurate (though they fall well short of showing the real horror of those who, whether guilty or innocent, were taken by inquisitors for "questioning").
I don't doubt that there are people in parts of the Middle East who could tell modern-day Americans it's like to live under religious prohibition, but some dismiss the circumstances because the religion involved is Islam. Yet Christianity was once at least as brutal. That there are some who even today rail to bring more religion (theirs, of course) into government is a frightening prospect that should have us all doing everything we can to ensure the First Amendment holds strong and inviolate.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: Casanova is rated R for "some sexual content." I've rarely seen a rating so inappropriate. Sure, there's innuendo running rampant, but it's PG-13 innuendo at worst. If your 14 year-old daughter likes period costumes or Heath Ledger, or your 15 year-old son thinks sword fights are way cool, there's no reason for you not to let them see Casanova. As for you, well, I'd suggest you buy a ticket, too. We laughed throughout Casanova, and left the theatre smiling. Is there really a better recommendation for a movie than that?
The Doge of Venice (Tim McInnerny) comes to his rescue for what is patently not the first time, and tells him sternly that he must behave himself or face the dire consequences on his own. Casanova reluctantly teams with his manservant Lupo (Omid Djalili) to find a suitable match. He believes he's done so when he sees the ethereal Victoria (Natalie Dormer), the innocent daughter of a wealthy Venetian (Stephen Grief). His reputation unsurprisingly precedes him, and the father promptly turns down his request for the girl's hand. It's that same reputation, however, that causes Victoria to beg her father to change his mind.
Meanwhile, Victoria has long been worshiped from afar by the mooning Giovanni Bruni (Charlie Cox) who lives just across the canal. Bruni's sister Francesca (Sienna Miller) tries to push her shy brother into confessing his love, but he wants nothing to do with actions he seems to see as indelicate. In fact, his sister is more of a man than he is, which comes in handy when Giovanni challenges Casanova to a duel over Victoria's affections and finds himself hopelessly overmatched.
Francesca, who has no idea that the man her brother has challenged is Casanova himself, finds him intriguing. She knows there's no point in going any further, though, because she's betrothed to a man she's never met courtesy of a father who signed a contract on her behalf when she was a small child. The rich Genovese merchant Paprizzio (Oliver Platt) is, however, the answer to her impoverished family's prayers, and her mother, Andrea (Lena Olin) isn't about to let her forget it. She may not find it so easy to forget Casanova, though, when he in turn finds himself fascinated with her.
As these various threads of the story begin to interleave, Rome's most fearsome inquisitor, Bishop Pucci (Jeremy Irons), shows up in Venice. It seems that Casanova's reputation has gone well beyond the bounds of the city and the Catholic powers that be aren't thrilled that he's still on the loose. Of course, the Bishop is self-righteously pleased when it seems he can also bring a few heretics to justice along the way.
Heath Ledger and Sienna Miller are both very good in their roles, and both seem to fit right into the period of the piece (Ledger even manages to look good in a wig). Lena Olin is an eye-fluttering flirt, and Omid Djalili is just plain fun. Natalie Dormer conveys the sexual frustrations of the supposedly innocent Victoria, while Jeremy Irons captures the smug Bishop perfectly. But in the midst of these perfectly fine performances, Oliver Platt is a stand-out. His wide-eyed innocence and his earnest hopes are almost enough to make you feel bad for him. Almost.
The costumes and sets are sumptuous; the cinematography shows everything off beautifully. There are a few special effects fumbles, but on balance Casanova is a good looking film.
Casanova doesn't depict history, even the improbable one told by Casanova himself in his autobiography. There are some authentic elements not the least of which is the fact that the Inquisition really was after him, but the movie really can't be considered anything but fiction. Still, I suspect most people aren't going to see Casanova for educational purposes. I myself went to see performances that had been lauded and to hopefully be entertained. I got all that and then some, and recommend the movie accordingly.
POLITICAL NOTES: There will probably be some Catholics who find the depiction of the Catholic Church in Casanova to be offensive. The truth of the matter is that, of all the elements of the movie, those portions depicting the Inquisition and its inherent unreasonableness may be the most historically accurate (though they fall well short of showing the real horror of those who, whether guilty or innocent, were taken by inquisitors for "questioning").
I don't doubt that there are people in parts of the Middle East who could tell modern-day Americans it's like to live under religious prohibition, but some dismiss the circumstances because the religion involved is Islam. Yet Christianity was once at least as brutal. That there are some who even today rail to bring more religion (theirs, of course) into government is a frightening prospect that should have us all doing everything we can to ensure the First Amendment holds strong and inviolate.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: Casanova is rated R for "some sexual content." I've rarely seen a rating so inappropriate. Sure, there's innuendo running rampant, but it's PG-13 innuendo at worst. If your 14 year-old daughter likes period costumes or Heath Ledger, or your 15 year-old son thinks sword fights are way cool, there's no reason for you not to let them see Casanova. As for you, well, I'd suggest you buy a ticket, too. We laughed throughout Casanova, and left the theatre smiling. Is there really a better recommendation for a movie than that?