Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

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!

The story of Casanova is the tale of one of the greatest lovers of all time. It should be a story of sensuality, passion, intrigue... but, alas, when it becomes Disney, all we get is just another sappy romantic comedy, but a funny one, at least.The story is the typical fiasco of "the lover who finds his true love", but well told, funny-paced and with good acting. Of course, during the course of the movie, the clichés mount almost embarrassingly, one over the top of the next one: "The feminist ahead of her time", "the fat comic relief", "the young apprentice", etc. But, at the same time, it's so recognizable and light-hearted, that all the flaws are forgiven, and then we just can sit and enjoy this silly and lovely story, in midst of impressive scenarios.The acting is good. Ledger is good in this one, showing skill to perform the enigmatic Casanova, and the rest of the actors are decent enough to makes us enjoy this Venetian holiday.In conclusion?, not a boring movie, but nothing special. It's just an enjoyable and lovely experience.7/10

This is another example of a device that I do not like. The movie-makers take a famous character, whose name they know will draw crowds - but then they are not faithful to the original story.For instance, these feminist/queer-issues with a woman dressing up as a man on various occasions, taking the place of a swordsman (behind a mask) in a duel, fighting for women's right to higher education etc.. And then to top it all, _this_ woman should be Casanova's one true love... This nonsense has nothing to do with the Casanova story! It simply just not fits in there - it destroys it! Another disappointment was the fact that Heath Ledger is not handsome or charismatic enough for the role of Casanova. Yes, I know that a lot of women have/had a crush on him! But I cannot really understand this, because I think he is just a little more attractive than Mr Average... Casanova should be played by someone like Adrian Paul, when he was in his prime... Also, I think Heath Ledger was too young for the role. If you do not find a very special male specimen to fill the boots of Casanova - you better not try to film it at all! There are many good supporting actors though. Jeremy Iron is the best as the inquisitor from the Catholic church - venerable, handsome and scary..! I also like Swedish Lena Olin very much. Although she is nowadays playing older women like the mother of one of the lovers, she is still so very beautiful and feminine with those lips and cheekbones..! Also, it can be worth seeing the movie for the wonderful costumes, masks, jewelry, furniture, music, dancing, etc., and the scenery from Venice... All historically accurate, as far as I know. The ball in the Doge's palace was magnificent..!

So much movement,the movie flows from one direction quite seamlessly to the next,all the while accompanied by some glorious music to the extent it almost seems to be an opera without arias.On several occasions I was expecting one or more of the characters to burst into song. "Casanova" is a splendidly funny period comedy whose title gives no clue to its potential audience as to whether it is serious biography,straight history or playing for laughs until they settle in their seats.Perhaps its harsher critics,outraged at its less-than-serious stance would have been forewarned if it had been titled "She was Baroque but she was honest". Admirers of the Irish TV series "Father Ted" will enjoy its little digs at Roman Catholicism delivered by Mr Jeremy Irons with smug assurance. The cast is sprinkled with fellow Brits of whom Miss Sienna Miller is the best known.Her part as a Feminist philosopher is underwritten but she makes the best of it. The late Mr H.Ledger has a rueful charm as Casanova but does not convince as a babe magnet I'm afraid.He seems happier hanging out with his manservant (Mr O.Djalili,better known as a stand up comic in England). In a wonderfully showy part as the "Lard King of Genoa" Mr O.Platt has little trouble in stealing "Casanova" from under Mr Ledger's elegant nose. What might be loosely called a "plot" involves mistaken identities,secret lovers and other devices beloved of playwrights since the dawn of the theatre.You may pay attention to it or not,it matters little as you allow yourself to be swept up with the magnificence of Venice,the beauty of the music,the vitality of the direction and the pleasure of the performances. What's not to like?