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Review

Giacomo Casanova (a perfectly cast Ledger) is Venice’s most notorious playboy, a lover whose luck has caught up with him now that he has seduced the wrong woman. The political powers that be demand he take a wife or he will be banished from the city indefinitely. With intentions of never being faithful, he chooses an eager young maiden as his target but his casual coolness is interrupted when he meets Francesca Bruni (played by an impressive Miller). Elegant and gifted, she seems to be the only female in the city not interested in experiencing the immense pleasure that makes Casanova so infamous. Obviously, this only instigates his chase for her, but the last thing he ever expects is to actually fall in love. Unfortunately, in times where class is a major factor in the marrying off of eligible women, Francesca has been promised to the plump and pompous Paprizzio, portrayed by the always comical Platt. While Hallström doesn’t capture the romantic or cinematic depth in his previous works, this film is a sweet and simple comedy with plenty of laughs and a very likeable cast. Olin is especially noteworthy as Francesca’s eccentric mother.