The Hindu Business Line : `Casanova': Surprisingly funny and enjoyable

In these days of the crude and garrulous Casanova surprises, even if the ability to surprise was perhaps natural for its much-desired central character. The occasional overdose of sexual innuendo does eat into its crispness, but overall this film is funny, enjoyable without having to abandon one's sense of class.

As the name suggests, it is based on the life of the legendary lover, Casanova, with, however, a small twist. It considers Casanova more a title; a legend kept alive by the sufficiently amorous and focuses on a story in the life of the original — Giacomo Casanova (Heath Ledger). Set in Venice of the 1700s and forever on the wrong side of the Inquisition for his constant testing of public morals, Casanova is advised to marry and settle down. Which in all fairness, he attempts, except that it triggers off its own chain of comic events, forcing the conqueror of women's hearts to lose his own to a strong willed woman.

Ironically, in this film about love and lovers, Lena Olin's is the only good performance from the women in the cast. It is the men who have carried this film through and provided its comic moments, sometimes bordering serious satire. To a large measure that is provided by four actors, led by the competent and very British Jeremy Irons (as Bishop Pucci). His training in theatre and impeccable diction lend a touch of the period to the bishop's character, the perfect counterweight to a story straining to get out of hand.

Heath Ledger, growling and mumbling still in that Brokeback Mountain fashion, amazes by how that formula works for Casanova. There is little that is overboard in his effort, where it may be it is the script that is to blame. Truly memorable is Oliver Platt as the Genoan merchant, Paprizzio; a role essayed with tremendous control, proving amply the hard work that goes into comedy. And ably supporting Casanova in his adventures is Onid Djalili's Lupo. This foursome and some fantastic dialogues hold Casanova together, preventing its degeneration into an innuendo-ridden mess.

But perhaps what you recall most of Casanova is the ability of Europe to laugh at its religion and culture, which in these conservative times has to be admired. Quite likely some of the film's dialogues, so laughable for their content, would have been impossible elsewhere.