SnoopyStyle Giacomo Casanova (Peter O'Toole) is working in obscurity as a poor librarian in a nobleman's castle. Edith (Rose Byrne) is a new servant. Her father gambled away the family wealth before his death. She is educated and in awe of Casanova's legend. He is writing his memoirs and recalls his life to her. As a boy, he is left behind by his courtesan mother. As a young man (David Tennant), he is penniless and without any connections. Henriette (Laura Fraser) likes the young pretender and immediately steals his purse. He takes Rocco as his manservant. He starts pretending to be a lawyer, a physician, an astrologer, a musician and others. Flirtatious Henriette gets engaged to pompous Duke of Grimani. Casanova falls for singer Bellino who is pretending to be a boy. Henriette continues to be his great love but she prefers the safety of Grimani's money. He saves rich noble Bragadin from callous physicians and their operation. Bragadin adopts Casanova and Henriette agrees to marry him. The jealous Grimani has Casanova imprisoned.Peter O'Toole is a terrific Casanova. He exudes charm. I love his flirtatious cat and mouse game with Rose Byrne. If that is all in the movie, this would be a great masterpiece. It would be a movie worthy of some acting awards. O'Toole is bringing a power deep within him. It's a sight to behold. I am less in love of David Tennant as Casanova. He's more jokey. He doesn't have O'Toole's reservoir of darkness. Those parts feel less weighty and more like a TV movie of Casanova. It's still worthwhile to see but I wish the movie stays with O'Toole more.

fudge_factory I think the negative reviews are all from people after a genuine biography - not a humorous, clever, dramatisation of a mans life - which this was - clever, sad and brilliantly written. Casanova was witty, gentle, sexy as sin and ugh made me go weak at the knees! This was what it was, and I for one really enjoyed it - I found Henriette and Casanova's impossible love heart wrenching, and the dreary English court very funny. Seeing the fabulous colours and music from the other court made me want to go there.(however inaccurate it may be!) Rocco as the enduring friend and Jack as the silent son who eventually does just what Casanova does, but so very differently, without the care and love and time that made Casanova "the greatest lover that ever lived"

grrrrarrggghhh This is the second Casanova movie to come out in 2005. It's hard to say which one is better, because although they have the same main character, the approach is very different. Here, Casanova is portrayed as a man constantly in love. A hopeless romantic, one could say. The evolution of the character is handled beautifully: in the beginning of the movie he's just a young boy, trying to find himself, developing slowly into a confident man, to the end, when he's a bitter old man, who stopped dreaming. The direction is certainly memorable, shocking in some places, but the true asset of this movie is David Tennant. He's a spectacular actor, and (being an avid Doctor Who fan) I expected to watch this movie and say: "Look, there's the Doctor.", but he just detached himself from any previous role and he just was Casanova. I really ended up loving this movie because of his beautiful portrayal. There's of course Peter O'Toole who was just as brilliant, in portraying old Casanova. Also, this is the first movie I've seen with two actors playing the same part -young and old- in which I could see the same character. Sure, O'Toole's Casanova is bitter and old, but you can see Tennant's Casanova developing into that person. It's a movie definitely worth seeing. If you can't find the DVD, maybe you'll be lucky and catch it on BBC.

Petri Pelkonen Giacomo Casanova (1725-1798) was a Venetian adventurer and author.In this British mini series we see the older Casanova telling his story to a young maid.He tells about his cool jailbreak but a big part of his stories contain sexual experiences with several women.There was something in this man women just couldn't resist.But there was only one woman he truly loved.Her name was Henriette.I saw Casanova (2005) in two parts.This is a modernized version of this 18th century adventurer.It works awfully good.David Tennant is absolutely fantastic as the protagonist.He's often comical, sometimes moving.It's a real treat to see Peter O'Toole as the older Casanova.He gives a touching performance as the elderly librarian.Other actors do also a good job.Laura Fraser plays Henriette, the number one girl in Casanova's life.Rosa Byrne is Edith, the maid.They're both pretty and talented.Shaun Parkes is very good as Rocco, Casanova's servant.I had good times watching the story of Casanova.So why don't you just tune in.