Directed by:
Lasse HallströmCinematography:
Oliver StapletonComposer:
Alexandre DesplatCast:
Heath Ledger, Jeremy Irons, Tim McInnerny, Sienna Miller, Lena Olin, Helen McCrory, Oliver Platt, Leigh Lawson, Charlie Cox, Stephen Greif, Tommy Körberg (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
For the first time in his life, the legendary Casanova is about to meet his match with an alluring Venetian beauty, Francesca, who does the one thing he never thought possible: refuse him. Through a series of clever disguises and scheming ruses, he manages to get ever closer to Francesca. However, he is playing the most dangerous game he has ever encountered--one that will risk not only his life and reputation, but his only chance at true passion. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (6)
Lasse Hallström's Casanova is from the family of films like Svend Gade and Heinz Schall's Hamlet. While in the 1920s the creators were searching for a female version, the new Casanova has become "just" a portable reputation that can be attributed to two different men. Fortunately, this new interpretation is presented as a light comedy with gorgeous costumes, a love of Venice, and some charming ideas. In addition, the beautiful Natalie Dormer made her debut here, and now you can consume her as much as you can. Lena Olin's love for huge men is spicy in and of itself, so in this regard, it’s also not up for debate. The new Casanova will appeal to anyone who doesn't despise classics updated for each generation, such as The Three Musketeers.
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A historical fizzy fun drama, where the actors have a good time, the writers are quite brilliant in places and the cameraman shows us panoramas of Venice. Hallström's affectionate, almost familial style of directing is undeniable, but the second half pulls the whole thing into a kind of slightly bizarre, modern gag-riddled historical parody, dominated by Irons, Platt and the consistently horny, not yet well-known Natalie Dormer. It’s fun for one time, but don’t expect anything revelatory.
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I would never have believed, but Hallström took on this unusual and joyful subject with the same bravado as Casanova took on women. A light-hearted and irresistibly playful film with a great ensemble of actors. It doesn't try to make the viewer laugh at all costs with cheap humour, but just pleasantly winks at them "Look how I don't take myself seriously at all". Fat Platt, the women in period costumes, the pleasant classical music and the atmosphere of 18th century Venice are to die for (I don't mind the weaker special effects some users here complain about). Perhaps it's just that Ledger lacks the right sparkle that the most famous seducer of women of all time should have, and wouldn't hold up compared to some of his acting predecessors.
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Casanova is unexciting at first, coming across as a routine work wrapped in the strains of classical music, with a bland Heath Ledger. But as the pace pickups with the artful screenwriting and the entrance of Jeremy Irons and Oliver Platt (especially the latter!), it starts to heat up and the film turns out to be a tremendously entertaining, almost crazy, modern, joke-laden comedy treat. Director Lasse Hallström excels, while Irons and Platt expose their characters to cartoonish situations. This had to have been a memorable case of hilarious filmmaking for the crew.
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Seeing Heath Ledger in such a role is just awesome. He's full of life, he's great, he's relaxed, and you can still see what a great actor he is. Lasse Hallström is one of my favorite directors because his films always manage to gently soothe my soul, leaving me feeling content and making the world seem a bit brighter again.
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