Out of a wish to see the spectacular city of Venice writ large on the silver screen (as well to please my wife by seeing the film she wanted to see, rather than just go see Narnia again), we went to the movies last sight and saw Casanova. Why, oh why would I see a film like this? I had no desire to see some soppy romance starring soppy Heath Ledger acting as some soppy 'oh he's oh so dashing and naughty' Casanova, while Venice starred as the supporting actor in a mirthless chirade of frilly costumes and fake period niceties. I would love to have said that about this film, but alas I cannot, for it was actually quite good. I actually quite enjoyed it. No, really! None of the actors affected any sense of being 'Italian' or 'Venetian'; all were very English, including Heath himself (why though? Casanova wasn't English!). A few welcome faces popped up - the purple-gloved Jeremy Irons was pure pantomime as the ominously-named Inquisitor, Ken Stott as the local catholic enforcer was, well, Ken Stott, and Percy out of Blackadder showed up as the hapless Doge. Sienna Miller was there too - I didn't realise she existed outside of tabloids and Heat magazine, but there you are. The storyline was silly, but had good comedy value. One scene in particular was lifted straight from Father Ted, almost block-for-block (you know the one where Bishop Brennan threatens to send Ted and Dougall off to cannibal-infested parishes on the other side of the world?). I don't believe for a moment that any of this related to any aspect of Giacomo Casanova's life, but what the hell, he's practically a legend now anyway; in fact, he is in the film too, frequently immortalized by mask-wearing actors and commedia dell'arte marionettes. The whole Venetian mask madness was part of the silly plot too, to some extent, with much swapping of identities, with varying degrees of comic consequences. Yes, I found it funny, but not as funny as the group of people behind us. they were literally rolling in the aisles - I couldn't hear some of the cheesy dialogue because of their incessant belly-laughs. I don't remember hearing such laughter at film screenings in the UK, but over here people are not afraid to laugh out loud in public, even at commercials (but not at my jokes; I can't win!). But I did have a nice evening watching this silly film, set in the great city where we got engaged. The film I would like to see, however, is the story of Terry Pratchett's pint-sized Dwarfish lover, Casanunda.
carry on casanova
8.1.06 04:03
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(8.1.06 17:13) I hate Bill O'Reilly. I had always heard of his ass-backward antics, but had never actaully witnessed his spewing of political propoganda-vomit on television until this summer. (This would be because I refuse to watch FOXNews...it only makes me angry when I do). Well, I happened to stop on a channel when I was flipping around on the television, and it happened to be FOX. I was in the kitchen making something to eat, but could still hear the TV. The idiocy coming through the TV at me was astounding. I went in the room to see who the "nut-job" was who was babbling on, and it was none other than our beloved friend Bill O'Reilly. What a moron. Good for Dave. |
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(8.1.06 18:40) Is this film out on general realease in the Cinemas? I was at my local odean to see 'Matchpoint' and didn't see it around or being advertised. |
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(8.1.06 20:38) rrg155, the exact same thing happened to me yesterday, i put on the the tv, went to the kitchen , overheard some boorish loud-mouth, and it was sweet Bill himself. I kicked the tv in though. Fox aint good for the blood pressure. And I don't know if Casanova is out in the uk yet, you know how it is, bringing films out late and all. But it is silly, and one to see with the mrs. |
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