Casanova
Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 2005
6.6
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 101 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
61
Mixed:
17
Negative:
23
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
2
DWillyJan 6, 2006
What is the opposite of delightful? Usually, if someone likes a movie I profoundly dislike (Million Dollar Baby for example) I still say "I'm glad you got pleasure out of it;" in this case, if someone says they liked this movie I say What is the opposite of delightful? Usually, if someone likes a movie I profoundly dislike (Million Dollar Baby for example) I still say "I'm glad you got pleasure out of it;" in this case, if someone says they liked this movie I say "You're an idiot." Sloppy is sloppy. Except for the scenic design, costumes, and wonderful Venice locations, it's like a bad children's movie; all smug, stupid and poorly executed.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
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 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
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
AngieJan 7, 2006
Entertaining... Heath Ledger was believable as the suave Cassanova!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
DavidZ.Feb 4, 2006
Very enjoyable. Don't expect wonders and watch a likable tale.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JeffB.Dec 18, 2005
The same tone as "Shakespeare in Love." If you didn't like that one, you won't like this. Venice has never been better portrayed on film. Heath Ledger is having an amazing year, with this film and "Brokeback Mountain," two The same tone as "Shakespeare in Love." If you didn't like that one, you won't like this. Venice has never been better portrayed on film. Heath Ledger is having an amazing year, with this film and "Brokeback Mountain," two characters who could not be further apart.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
DeWayneP.Jan 1, 2006
Just a deligtfully light and entertaining film...
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
KenG.Jan 27, 2006
A mess. The filmmakers were clueless as to how to handle the subject matter, which had no business coming off as slow, dull, and plodding as it does. Fimmakers might have intended to have fun with this premise, but they had no idea how to do A mess. The filmmakers were clueless as to how to handle the subject matter, which had no business coming off as slow, dull, and plodding as it does. Fimmakers might have intended to have fun with this premise, but they had no idea how to do it. The love story between Ledger and Miller is so clumsily handled, that it just doesn't work.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
MarcD.Jan 6, 2006
Not bad at all. It's a fun story, and Sienna Miller is a pleasure to watch. Oliver Platt is hilarious, as well.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
EllenS.Jan 6, 2006
This was a silly but entertaining film. Fun characters, good acting, not at all serious but a good way to spend some time at the movies. NIce antidote to the Syrianas, Munichs and Brokebacks, if you're one to spend a lot of time in the dark.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
PeabodyP.Jan 6, 2006
A light romp with some very funny scenery chewing. Funny and beautifully shot. Don't go looking for literature, go for the escapism and to see the beauty of Venice.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
HitchhikerC.Jun 3, 2006
Add asinine silliness (of Hilary Duff proportions) to Hallstrom's usual life-is-beautiful banality, and you should have a pretty good picture of how this trashy excuse for a movie goes!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
DarenD.Dec 22, 2005
Terrible! Normally heath ledger is good!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
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.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
CarolY.Jan 11, 2006
Entertaining frothy romp. Good acting by even minor characters.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
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.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JaneD.Apr 26, 2006
This is an awful, stupid movie. That said, I saw it twice in the theater just for the Oliver Platt/Lena Olin subplot. They are insanely adorable.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
richardb.Dec 18, 2005
This movie plays more like an 80's sitcom than anything worth the big screen treatment, like that Taming of the Shrew episode of Moonlighting. Only not nearly as funny, and painfully obvious in its jokes, plotlines, and poorly-advised This movie plays more like an 80's sitcom than anything worth the big screen treatment, like that Taming of the Shrew episode of Moonlighting. Only not nearly as funny, and painfully obvious in its jokes, plotlines, and poorly-advised attempt to beam Gloria Steinem back to the 18th century as a cross between Marie Curie and Zorro. Casanova? I know Casanova, and you sir, are no Casanova. You are an under-written part for a good actor, badly directed by a man who, 20 years ago, created a true work of art: "My Life As A Dog". PS-You know you're watching a bad comedy when dropping stuff is the best they can do to try and make you laugh. PPS-You know you're watching a really bad comedy when dropping stuff IN SLOW MOTION is the best they can do to try and make you laugh.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
JanetG.Dec 25, 2005
Truly dire. I have no idea if this is a love story, a revisionist take on history or a feeble attempt at parody. Blazing Saddles without the clever angles and wthout the laughs? If you've seen the trailer, you've also seen the only Truly dire. I have no idea if this is a love story, a revisionist take on history or a feeble attempt at parody. Blazing Saddles without the clever angles and wthout the laughs? If you've seen the trailer, you've also seen the only half-good moment in the movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
RhettW.Dec 28, 2005
The worst Lasse Hallstrom film ever.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
FilmisFeb 13, 2013
A disappointing film, the word annoying comes to mind. However there are some humorous moments and the Venetian scenery is impressive, minus the dodgy effects of course. What seems to be promising storyline supported with an established castA disappointing film, the word annoying comes to mind. However there are some humorous moments and the Venetian scenery is impressive, minus the dodgy effects of course. What seems to be promising storyline supported with an established cast turns out to be an easily forgettable tale.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
LoRevisorJan 16, 2015
É do costume de Lasse Hallström fazer filmes de estilo bem light um filme paradão,porém em Casanova ele une Romance,Comédia e ação só posso dizer que ficou incrível. Talvez um dos poucos divertidos e interessantes filmes de Hallström talvez oÉ do costume de Lasse Hallström fazer filmes de estilo bem light um filme paradão,porém em Casanova ele une Romance,Comédia e ação só posso dizer que ficou incrível. Talvez um dos poucos divertidos e interessantes filmes de Hallström talvez o único Heath Ledger é incrível neste,e Sienna Miller é linda,gostosa e impressionantemente uma ótima atriz,Jeremy Irons é sensasional. Casanova é divertídissimo.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
FilipeNetoMay 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 hasThis 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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9
RobertHowardMar 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.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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