Casanova

An enjoyable historical romantic comedy based on a fabricated episode of a very young Giacomo Casanova set in Venice in the mid-1700s, this Heath Ledger-Sienna Miller 2005 film from Lasse Hallstrom uses the legendary Lothario as an exploration of the meaning of love.

Ledger is the title character, footloose and fancy-free and a charmer who slices through the clothing of beautiful women of all stations. He’s the bane of Bishop Dalfonso’s (Ken Stott) existence because Casanova has powerful protectors including the Doge of Venice. He’s hard up for cash, though, and has finally pushed too far; to escape prosecution and stay out of debtor’s prison as well Casanova must make a real marriage to a woman carrying a sizable dowry by the festival days away.

Fortunately the lovely, lithe blond Victoria (Natalie Dormer) is anxious to be rid of her virginity and has her noble father wrapped around her pinkie so, despite misgivings about her suitor’s reputation, daddy agrees. The same day the groom-to-be is challenged to a duel by Giovanni (Charlie Cox), who lives across from Victoria and has been lovesick since hair appeared on his chest. He’s a terrible fencer, though, and his older sister, wearing identical clothing and mask, takes his place.

Casanova has seen her before, when the unusually educated Francesca (Miller) scandalized Venetian academics by debating a man, also wearing men’s clothes and a wig and mustache disguise. He falls for her immediately but, aside from his impending nuptials, she is also betrothed to a wealthy cousin (Oliver Platt) as the means to solve the whole in the family accounts after dad died.

Finally, Dalonso’s superiors in the Inquisition have decided he can’t bring Casanova to the bar and replaced him with the utterly no-nonsense Cardinal Pucci (Jeremy Irons). Pucci is not put off by the planned wedding nor the political conflict with the secular authorities.

The way these three plots crash together intelligently and with great wit is what makes me give this a recommended result. Also chipping in are the colorful clothing and city scenery, as well as an outstanding performance by Omid Djallai as Casanova’s manservant.

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