Casanova

Name: Casanova
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: December 25, 2005
Duration: 112 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Heath Ledger, Sienna Miller

2005

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Mixed or average reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 101 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 101 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 2005 | R

Starring: Heath Ledger, Sienna Miller

Summary: 1700s Venice. He was the legendary adventurer whose amorous dalliances would go on to inspire countless lovers throughout the centuries. She was the most virtuoso writer of her time who was waiting to find that rare man with a true understanding of steadfastness and passion. When Giacomo Casanova (Ledger) discovers Francesca Bruni (Miller),1700s Venice. He was the legendary adventurer whose amorous dalliances would go on to inspire countless lovers throughout the centuries. She was the most virtuoso writer of her time who was waiting to find that rare man with a true understanding of steadfastness and passion. When Giacomo Casanova (Ledger) discovers Francesca Bruni (Miller), he met his ultimate romantic match, succumbing to the only woman ever to refuse his charms -- until he could prove himself to be one man worthy of her romantic ideals. (Touchstone Pictures)… Expand

Director: Lasse Hallstrom

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 112 min

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Critic Reviews

Michael Sragow

A lovely, mischievous Casanova that will sweep you off your feet. Read full review

Andrea Gronvall

Lasse Hallstrom (Chocolat) directs a sparking screenplay by Jeffrey Hatcher (Stage Beauty) and Kimberly Simi; it starts as a frothy boudoir comedy but evolves into a masquerade by turns sweetly meditative and sharply satirical. Read full review

Claudia Puig

Casanova is an entertaining if silly romp, with amusing dialogue, gorgeous production design and painterly cinematography. Venice, where the movie is set, has never been so breathtaking. Read full review

David Denby

When the credits were over at last, I sighed, and took away a moviegoer's fantasy of Ledger and Miller starting work again, far away from Venice and ball gowns, on something that might be worth seeing. Read full review

James Berardinelli

What happens when movie producers cross "Three's Company" with "Masterpiece Theater?" The result would be similar to what Touchstone Pictures has provided with Casanova, a farcical romantic comedy period piece. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Don't confuse the 18th-century Vene tian setting in Casanova with sophisti cation. The film's one-dimensional characters and lame one-liners make it a sitcom with petticoats. Read full review

Jessica Winter

Ledger's deadpan baritone pumps wit into his tepid one-liners like collagen into a wilted starlet's kisser, and the clumsy staging might not grate so much if the tone weren't so self-congratulatory. Read full review

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User Reviews

RobertHoward

Mar 6, 2022

Casanova is a fun period piece with wonderful locations, hugely likeable characters that are portrayed by great actors, a good romance story and lots and lots of humour.

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GaryB.

Jan 25, 2006

A Venetian caprice in which Guardi and Caneletto are brought to life in an operatic buffo plot of delightful visual and dramatic allure. One of the delights of the year.

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Angie

Jan 7, 2006

Entertaining... Heath Ledger was believable as the suave Cassanova!

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MarkB.

Jan 9, 2006

It's ironic that this sporadically lively, frothy period romp about the famous Italian lover is a near-miss for two different but interlocking reasons. Very simply, the title performance absolutely does not work: even giving much allowance for the plot requirement that Casanova has to It's ironic that this sporadically lively, frothy period romp about the famous Italian lover is a near-miss for two different but interlocking reasons. Very simply, the title performance absolutely does not work: even giving much allowance for the plot requirement that Casanova has to constantly elude various legal, clerical and other establishment figures without being recognized, Heath Ledger's stiff, humorless performance is absolutely not what the role calls for. In fact, from a technical standpoint his work here is not all that far removed from his stunning work as a taciturn, inarticulate cowpoke attempting to deal with forbidden desires he didn't know he was capable of having in the current Brokeback Mountain, but while that breakthrough performance was Brokeback's emotional anchor, in Casanova's instance it weighs this movie down in far less satisfying ways. That's a real shame, bacause much of what's going on above, below and around Ledger is a real treat; director Lasse Hallstrom (My Life As A Dog) has spent the last several years of his life doing so much well-acted but overrated Oscar bait for the Weinstein brothers as The Cider House Rules, Chocolat and The Shipping News that it's really an enjoyable surprise to see him working with a lighter touch than we've seen since ABBA: The Movie! Jeremy Irons, playing an officious, self-righteous priest on Cas's trail is tremendously enjoyable, playing him as a cross between Snidely Whiplash and Jeffrey Jones' hapless high school vice-principal from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Sienna Miller, as our hero's fiery intellectual as well as romantic/erotic match, is so vibrant and joyously sexual that I found myself asking more than once if Jude Law's got a screw loose or what; Lena Olin matches Miller's appeal and adds an irresistable blend of slyness and subtle vulnerability. And then there's Oliver Platt, who for the second time in as many moviegoing months steals the whole picture. In The Ice Harvest he actually made chronic alcoholism rather endearing, and here he makes overeating absolutely lovable; if you've made certain dietary New Year's resolutions, beware...because watching an Oliver Platt movie will probably be more detrimental to your faithfulness than attending a Super Bowl party!… Expand

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FilipeNeto

May 19, 2018

This film is very interesting, presenting the life of Casanova, a real historical character famous for his adventurous life and his numerous affairs in the form of a comedy. This is not the first time that the Venetians' libidinal life has served a movie that ranges from comic to romantic:This film is very interesting, presenting the life of Casanova, a real historical character famous for his adventurous life and his numerous affairs in the form of a comedy. This is not the first time that the Venetians' libidinal life has served a movie that ranges from comic to romantic: we had the same recipe in "Dangerous Beauty", and these film had a much more beautiful and well-developed central female character. Interestingly, Oliver Platt is present in both films and some elements of the plot of "Casanova" were clearly inspired in this film. In fact, this deja vu sensation is one of the problems of this film, cutting off the interest it might have. The way the plot mixes flirtations and interests of various characters is not new either, being a common feature in this type of comedy.

Francesca, character played by Sienna Miller, is a woman ahead of her time, certainly inspired by the dreamy and cultured Veronica Franco ("Dangerous Beauty" again lending elements to this film). The actress has done a satisfying job, but she never really looks beautiful or seductive. On the contrary, what seems to seduce Casanova is the intellectual challenge she represents and the fact that she is different from the others. This was well thought out but appears in the plot very smoothly, almost imperceptibly, and could have been more noticeable. In turn, Heath Ledger made an excellent Casanova, harmonizing well the adventurous and funny side of his character with his most romantic and idealistic side. Platt made a simple and easy role: the idiot who ends up doing well in life. The fact is that the actor used well the little that they gave him and made a very honorable performance. Jeremy Irons is not far behind. He is an actor of enormous talent and versatility that adapts well to comedy.

The director of the film, Lasse Hallström, exaggerates in some moments and didn't seem to be able to capture the true beauty and majesty of the baroque Venice. However, despite that, it makes a generally positive use of the city's landscape. The period costumes and baroque music were two of the things I most appreciated in the film: skillfully introduced and used, baroque music integrates well into the soundtrack and accompanies the entire film.… Expand

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ReneA.

Dec 26, 2005

Not funny and without romantism, this movie is bad.I give 5/10 because of the beautiful baroque music and the natural sets of Venice. That's all.

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DarenD.

Dec 22, 2005

Terrible! Normally heath ledger is good!

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