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Australian-born actor Heath Ledger plies his trade about as far from Brokeback Mountain (2005) as one can get in this sassy and energetic romantic comedy, set in mid-18th-century Europe. Ledger portrays the titular Italian lothario as a rake caught up in the period’s repressive sexual politics, and with nary a flash of his Oscar-nominated turn as Ennis in celebrated “gay cowboy movie,” which opened in theaters just a few weeks before Casanova. The year is 1753, and the celebrated lover is so well known in Venice that he’s lampooned in stage plays and puppet shows. But his moral transgressions are not so blithely regarded by the Inquisition’s chief enforcer, Pucci (Jeremy Irons), who is determined to throw the suave seducer in prison. Only by acquiring a wife and settling down can Casanova hope to evade his enemies. After considerable searching, he settles on the high-spirited Francesca (Sienna Miller), who’s unfortunately betrothed to wealthy Genoan merchant Paprizzio (Oliver Platt). Director Lasse Hallström maintains a light touch as the inevitable complications ensue, moving the story forward quickly enough to prevent viewers from reflecting on the occasional absurdities. Ledger looks to be enjoying himself immensely throughout, while Miller impresses with her delightful, if historically dubious, characterization of a proto-feminist who dresses in men’s clothes and engages in sword fights at the drop of a hat. Cinematographer Oliver Stapleton beautifully captures the Venetian locations, and the period décor is satisfyingly lush. The characters’ actions and attitudes have a decidedly modern flavor though, which makes Casanova a most engaging romp. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

History's most renowned ladies' man finally meets his match in this historical romance laced with comedy and adventure. In Venice in 1753, Giacomo Casanova (Heath Ledger) is a notorious playboy whose way with women goes too far when he's caught leaving the bedroom of a novice nun, and one of the leading prosecutors of the Inquisition, Pucci (Jeremy Irons), puts him on trial. The Doge (Tim McInnerny), Venice's political point man, is a friend of Casanova's and pulls strings to get him off the hook and allow him to stay in the city, but under one condition -- he must take a wife and remain faithful to her. Casanova sets his sights on Victoria (Natalie Dormer), a lovely young maiden who is obviously taken with the handsome ladykiller, but he's not the only one who wants her hand. Giovanni Bruni (Charlie Cox) is a young man who is very much in love with Victoria, and in order to move him out of the picture, Casanova challenges him to a duel. However, when Casanova is bested in swords in the challenge, he discovers he's actually been parrying with Giovanni's sister, Francesca (Sienna Miller). As Casanova gets to know Francesca, he discovers she's a gifted writer and a bright and independent woman as well as a good hand with a sword, and he comes to the realization that she's the woman he wants to take to the altar. However, Francesca has already been promised to the vain and chubby Papprizzio (Oliver Platt), a man she's never met, and she doesn't seem at all interested in the notorious Casanova. Casanova also stars Lena Olin, and Omid Djalili. Mark Deming

Product Details

• UPC: 786936288858
• Source: TOUCHSTONE / DISNEY
• Region Code: 1
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound, Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
• Language: Français
• Time: 1:51:00
• Sales Rank: 8,616

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