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Casanova Summary. In 1753, Casanova (Heath Ledger) is famous as a lover and the source of much hilarity in puppet shows all over Venice. The Inquisition is after him for debauchery, but the Doge (Tim McInnerny), his liberal-minded patron intercedes for him but tells him that he must marry or leave the city for good. Using the famed exploits of the original Italian ladies man, Casanova, Lasse Hallstöm has made a film with a story of his one true love. Set in the late 18th Century at a time where the Inquisition ran strong against anything “immoral,” the story begins taking a teeny tiny bit of fact and a whole lot of fiction. With a good all around cast, wonderful visuals and constant sex jokes (set in a more “elegant” manner) is a film with a lot of art, but surprisingly little heart. Key to the vision for the film was creating a Casanova with a contemporary edge: youthful, accessible and emotionally true-to-life. Running away with this imaginative concept, the film’s screenwriters bring forth a very different view of Casanova’s myth. Here, Casanova is not only a dashing rebel and wit, but also a vulnerable man who is chasing after love as Bishop Pucci (Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons) of the Inquisition chases after him. Caught up in a comic whirl of disguises, duels, deceit and love-struck desire, Casanova begins to see the vital difference between the allure of conquest and the power of true love. Starring: Heath Ledger, Sienna Miller, Oliver Platt, Omid Djalili, Lena Olin, Charlie Cox, Natalie Dormer, Stephen Greif and Jeremy Irons. Director: Lasse Hallström Screenplay: Jeffrey Hatcher and Kimberly Simi Distribution: Touchstone Pictures |