Casanova

Casanova seems like a pale imitation of 1998's Dangerous Beauty.

There were great stretches of the film wherein I was, not bored, but impatient.

Heath Ledger, in the lead role, is convincingly seductive (although I am getting tired of him mumbling through all his roles), while Oliver Platt provides much of the best humour, although one wonders why an Italian nobleman is played by an Canadian actor with a Cockney accent. The producers must have thought that was hilarious. Jeremy Irons, as the inquisitor chasing after Casanova, is phlegmatic.

There is some good dialogue, partcularly an exchange on horseback- "Self-love is self-doubt"

But ultimately the film is not satisfying because it doesn't realize it can't wink at fornication while professing true love. I would have preferred a meditation on the nature of seduction, where purity, chastity, and modesty are pitted against its opposites, like Cruel Intentions, and we see the effect in people's lives. That would take more skill than is evident from the screen writing here.

Also, what is the deal with all these films making the Church look bad?
Not that any filmmaker ought to be deferential, but where is the balance?
Where are the wise and loving spiritual fathers? Not all Roman Catholic are repressed, buffoons, hypocrites, or corrupted by power. But this anti-Catholic bias is also present in the (much, much better) Chocolat, from the same director, Lasse Hallstrom.

And though it is rated R, there is no profanity, no nudity, and surprisingly very little actual sex. It's more a comedy of manners.

This is also the first time I've gotten to see Sienna Miller, who I guess is supposed to be a babe in the UK universe, but while I don't dislike her, and she is not unattractive, she doesn't do anything for me. I'd much prefer Sienna Guillory.