Casanova

source: Casanova

And that's what I love about it, it's the true story of Casanova, an Rebellious Italian man who using his sexuality to find his place in life, the film does not contain LOADS of nudity, just many aspects of it. The film contains two midgets with a fat woman in a bathtub, a group sex involving many women in a revolving room, and silly make-up. It is truly a misunderstood and dark film; I couldn't recommend it more. I wish people would pay more attention to this film, for it is truly a masterpiece. It is a forgien film, yet you can understand with only the magnicent moving images throughout the cinematic mystery. So, yeah, I would give this film a 10/10, for many reasons

Fellini's darkest, most haunting and melancholic film. The direction, images and music are stunning. My only criticisms are that the costumes/makeup are over the top and some of the sex is silly. Less would have been more. Still, Sutherland gives a heroic performance and the work remains an alchemical masterpiece.

Yet another Fellini extravaganza, again with Danilo Donati's costumes. He won an Oscar for it. And believe me, they are something. Casanova, a strangely melancholic character played by Donald Sutherland, is surrounded with and literally swims in silk, lace, jewelry and - camp. But he is never camp and the film is never camp. It transcends camp. It's so over the top, camp runs away scared. Tina Aumont is probably one of the most beautiful women to ever grace the silver screen. She, and a bunch of other 'exotic' conquests are what Casanova thinks of in his lonely hours.

One of Fellini's more coherent and conventional films. Though I could hardly bear Satyricon, I consider "Casanova" one of the best films of all time. The surreal nightmare world of Casanova's lost wanderings of the obscure cities of 15th century Europe comes alive and his willing enslavement to his own lust given free reign, in sex scenes which are only disturbing, could leave you wondering if you would be any different given the same freedoms. A frightening but hauntingly beautiful and poetic film. Fellini's lush cinematography was never better. The best role of Donald Sutherland's career- his performance is simply amazing.

"Il Casanova" is probably far from being considered one of Fellini's best works, but it still undoubtedly a very entertaining, funny, visually beautiful film that tells various stories from Giacomo Casanova's life in a Fellini's manner, of cause. Co-written by Fellini himself like probably all of his other movies, this one enjoys a pretty good, witty script, that was even Oscar nominated. The film went on to win an Academy Award in a Best Costume Design category in 1976. I found it a real pleasure watching from beginning to the end, although it is not on the same level of perfection as "La Dolce Vita" or 8 1/2, Il Casanova still has a strong touch of Fellini's genius. Highly recommendable. 9/10

Fellini's later works often get a bad rap as being overindulgent, but I think that seriously misses the point. Fellini was creating these wild fantasias to work out his dreams and obsessions. One of the themes he consistently retuned to was the price of erotic longing, and that theme has never been tackled better than in this film. Fellini's Casanova, as portrayed by Donald Sutherland, is a pathetic figure, vain and narcissistic, with little understanding of how is viewed from the outside. He quests after erotic conquest as if that meant something outside of his own obsessions. Fellini was clearly commenting on himself here with the unflinching eye he used to dissect himself throughout his career. A powerful work by a true genius with a career best performance from Sutherland.

For some reason a Blu-ray of this film is not universally available and we had to watch an English dub with French subtitles. Still a remarkable film though with ravishing visuals and mind boggling action. Who knows how authentic a version of the 'myth' this is but if there is a believable version, this has to be it. One of the main reasons for the great success of this film, apart of course from the maestro himself and the music of Rota is the, dignified in the face of all about him, performance of Donald Sutherland. He does not look very pretty here, indeed ravaged would be an apt description but he behaves and performs with consistency and confidence whilst surrounded by the completely bizarre and surreal. A real treasure, this wondrous whilst awful cinematic bio is one of Fellini's bravest and finest achievements.

I have but one question: Why in the name of all that we call the cosmos is this film not available on DVD (or even VHS)? It is far superior and reflects much more the times and life of Casanova than the Chamberlain film that trudged its way from start to finish. Casanova was an eighteenth-century intellectual, an intellectual with very definite proclivities for womanizing. Fellini knew his subject and the many places where his subject found himself in a lifetime of incredible sights, sounds and adventures. Get this film out of the closet, dust it off and let us have the very positive experience of enjoying it in the sanctity of our own homes. It has been too long on ice. Someone "out there", get off your duff and let us have one of Fellini's best works.

I think this movie has been misunderstood. I have only seen it once and that was in 1978 or so. I had to write a paper about it for an art class so I paid very good attention. I think the theme had to do with loss. He lost every woman he loved starting with the statue that sank in the river. The odd circus woman, and the circus, vanished. The film was most unusual but beautiful - each scene a painting. The scenes and even the story line linger still in my mind. I have not been able to see the film again but would love to to get more insight into the many and various subtleties. The metronome for one was interesting. To me one gage of a good film is one that lingers on in your mind for years. This one qualifies.