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.

This is a lovely little feel-good film featuring a bunch of memorable performances from Heath Ledger, Sienna Miller (and a particularly brilliant one from Jeremy Irons), among others. The films offers a rather playful take on the life of the notorious womanizer Giacomo Casanova and tells us about his one true love, a strong-headed Venetian lady with feministic views, and the pains that the 18th century libertine takes to possess her, as a ruthless inquisitor, appointed by the pope, tries to execute him on the charges of heresy. A guilty pleasure of sorts with little historical significance, Casanova is nonetheless a must watch for the late Heath Ledger fans!For more on the world of cinema, please visit my film blog "A Potpourri of Vestiges".

Obviously, the opinions about this film varied tremendously (see the other comments), but I loved this film. Hallstrom's deft touch and an assemblage of fantastic actors plying their crafts with such refinement and delicacy makes this film a pleasing farce set in an enchanting Venice. The period music was just fine and the beautiful buildings took me back to the artistic sensibilities of the age. I love how the script addressed the mores of the times, with special tweaks at the religious institutions and the gender standards, not to mention the proprieties of relationships and sexual behavior. Special kudos to Oliver Platt, whose character is larger than life--figuratively and corporeally.

Heath Ledger was pretty as always (well, except as the Joker)but the movie was a very long sit-com. Very, very long. If I had been in a theater watching it, I would never have made it through in one sitting. This is the kind of movie you watch on DVD, pause and come back to later. May I suggest a better interpretation of it--the TV miniseries starring David Tennant (yes, Doctor Who) as the young Casanova and Peter O'Toole as Old Casanova, reliving his memories. I don't know how accurate it is to the REAL Casanova, but it was much better--much sexier. You really believed Tennant as Casanova. Ledger was....very pretty and nice to look at--he was a model in this and quite flat in his affect.