Casanova...

[fajrdrako]

This evening I watched the final episode of Casanova, the 2005 BBC3 mini-series starring David Tennant, Peter O'Toole, Shaun Parkes and Rose Byrne. I had never heard of Rose Byrne; I watched because of those first three.

Who am I kidding? I watched because I love costume drama (or costume romantic comedy, or whatever) and I would have watched this even if I'd never heard of any of the actors. It's the third filmed version of Casanova's life that I've seen, and I've liked them all.

The frame story reminded me of Quills, where a young female servant develops an interest in the aging Marquis de Sade because he keeps her fascinated, Shahrazade-style, by his stories. The old Casanova (Peter O'Toole) is not a prisoner, except perhaps in a self-imposed way, keeping himself to himself in the disrespected role of librarian in an out-of-the way castle, telling the story of his life, bit by bit, evening after evening, to a fascinated serving girl who keeps coming back to see how the suspense and the romance unfolds.

Yes, romance. As in the recent movie with Heath Ledger, the story of the famous philanderer is transformed into a story of unquenchable true love. In a way, I find that twisted and amusing: should the story of Casanova not be one of freedom and individuality? In another way, I enjoy the irony itself, and I enjoy the way it's a comment on our times, in which womanizing becomes a sort of metaphor for true love.

And, surprisingly, does so successfully.

Now, in this version, I didn't like Casanova's true love, Henriette, played by Laura Fraser. She seemed unappealing to me: primarily a trickster, hiding behind words, showing little warmth or humanity. I much preferred Bellino, the castrato singer who turns out to be a woman - maybe because she was played by Nina Sosanya, who is gorgeous.

A lot of the strength of the production was in the wonderfully expressive performance of David Tennant. He gave the role charm and grace. Who could not love this vivid, life-loving, woman-loving man?

I didn't like the costuming by Michele Clapton. It wasn't true to period, it wasn't generally attractive, and it specialized in being dramatically outrageous. It wasn't a surreal story: it didn't need bizarre and anachronistic costuming. (Even though some of it was eye-catching.)

The cinematography, however, was gorgeous. And the script by Russell T. Davies was witty, amusing and nicely suspenseful. I was eager for more of the story, just like Edith.

Comments

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

I saw some of this and found it delightful. I agree about the costumes, too. There's now a strange notion that accuracy=dull...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

There's now a strange notion that accuracy=dull...

Yes, and I can't think why - it isn't as if 18th century clothing was boring or drab by any standards! I suspect they thought that a modern audience would prefer a visual style that was outre-but-recognizable in comparison to fashion to day. Or something.

And since they had actors who would look good in anything at all, it worked.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Yes! I would love to see David looking properly 18C. Apart from eye-colour, he bears a strong resemblance to my dear Pattie!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

He'd do very well, wouldn't he? If they filmed the stories I'd like to see as movies - which they never do! - he'd fit very well into a Georgian romance. Which I suppose this almost was, except for the ways they missed the mark.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Yes!
You know, I simply cannot find men in modern dress attractive. A friend and I at university once thought of launching a "Real Men Wear Lace" campaign to deal with this, as we were disgusted at the fact one very handsome boy - a Prince Rupert lookalike - habitually went around in a scruffy t-shirt and faded jeans which did not look right on him at all. We wanted to enforce a 17-18C dress-code...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I find plenty of men in modern dress attractive, but also find that most men in real life don't make the most of their looks - posture and bearing and so on - and often wear clothes as if they're slumming. It isn't really the fault of the clothes. I see lots of things in GQ that I like.

But generally, men's clothes for the past 180 years or so have been mostly unimpressive.

Real Men should wear lace. I agree.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Unless they're from before it was invented, in which case lavishly bejewelled embroidery will do nicely. Or chainmail.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Chainmail is always good, and in some cases, practical.

Embriodery is always good, too. Cloaks with metal clasps. Leather.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Chainmail is always good, and in some cases, practical.

This icon says it all. I would have liked to remind my boy to wear his whenever he went out of the house!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You remind me how utterly brilliant the costumers for Lord of the Rings were. I don't think I've ever seen such good costume design - and for everyone, from the pseudo-Edwardian Hobbits to the Gondorian macho men to the elegant Elves. (Elrond's outfit with laces up the back is a particular favourite of mine.) Boromir, Gandalf and Grima Wormtongue got the best individual designs, I think - though Aragorn's grubby travel clothes were also wonderful.

The costumes in Kingdom of Heaven were feeble and unimaginative in comparison. Well, actually... there is no comparison.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Yes! I loved the LotR costumes!
KoH was very strange... in so many respects.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Best costuming ever. I got to see the LOTR costumes in person and up close on three occasions (in Toronto, Boston and Los Angeles) and the detail and precision was as impressive as the design. True craftsmanship, right down to the weight and weave of the fabrics.

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

I would like to see this. I didn't like the Heath Ledger one.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I didn't like the Heath Ledger one.

Why not? I don't generally like Heath Ledger - at least, not after Roar - but I thought that version of Casanova was very funny.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

I have an allergy to Heath Ledger, due to The Patriot (I cheered when Jason Isaacs kebabed him) and A Knight's Tale.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Oh, those. Yes. Me too. The Patriot made me a huge fan of Jason Isaacs and made me a non-fan of Ledger, whom I'd been predisposed to like because of Roar. And Gibson too, but I was already off him before that.

A Knight's Tale was similarly annoying since I like Rufus Sewell (who was not at his best there anyway) and had to settle for concentrating on James Purfoy because all the other characters were giving me a headache.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Yes, Jason was the only good thing in The Patriot. I had the misfortune to watch it in a St Andrews cinema full of American tourists...
Please check out some of my fanfic on fanfiction.net: I write as Doc M

There was too little Rufus and too much silliness in Knight's Tale.

(Am currently battling on IMDb in defence of the lovely C... There's a Richard-groupie about. I grieve...)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, Jason was the only good thing in The Patriot.

And thank goodness for him! More execrable history - or at least, pointless historification.

Okay, I'll look for your Doc M fanfic.

too much silliness

And my silliness-tolerance level isn't very high.

Am currently battling on IMDb in defence of the lovely C...

Fight the good fight!

There's a Richard-groupie about. I grieve...

I love Richard too, but I feel no need to attack Conrad on his behalf!

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Here is my fanfic page:
Doc M's Fanfic (http://www.fanfiction.net/u/79389/)
I have an unfortunate tendency to leave things unfinished.

I love Richard too, but I feel no need to attack Conrad on his behalf!

This was someone blaming Conrad for Richard not capturing Jerusalem, because he wouldn't risk leaving Tyre to join him on his campaign south. Given that he suspected that Richard wanted to take Tyre to give it to Guy, that wasn't unreasonable.

Poor lad, I wish I could just give him a hug sometimes.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the link. (I'm wondering if I can get away with going there and reading while I'm at work. Hmm.)

This was someone blaming Conrad for Richard not capturing Jerusalem

Ah, well, we know Conrad gets blamed for everything. He's probably also responsible for War, Famine, Death and Pestilence. Historical hindsight is a marvellous thing. Conrad was responsible for Tyre, Conrad took responsiblity for Tyre - just as he should have. And as sovereign king (however tenuously) playing toady to Richard's wishes was the last thing he should have done.

I wish I could just give him a hug sometimes

My dear: you don't need a reason to hug Conrad. (and there are too many potential reasons anyway.) Just do it when you feel like it!

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Ah, well, we know Conrad gets blamed for everything.

Yes, it's truly remarkable... It's almost as if someone has taped a sign to his back, saying "It's all my fault, whatever it is. Kick me."

He's probably also responsible for War, Famine, Death and Pestilence.

As far as Ambroise and the Itinerarium are concerned, he certainly is! It's all his fault there was famine and disease in the camp at Acre, because he didn't send supplies there after he'd taken his bride home. Never mind the fact that hardly anyone was taking to the sea in December and January, and the ships that did sail either got wrecked on the rocks or captured by the enemy... They probably blame him for the weather!

My dear: you don't need a reason to hug Conrad. (and there are too many potential reasons anyway.)

Being intelligent, well-educated, cultured, heroic, handsome, and meets all my h/c requirements... Hmmm...

Just do it when you feel like it!

Indeed! He gets lots of virtual cuddles from me - gentle ones, obviously, as I wouldn't want to hurt his side.

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

I found it boring. But then I also found Pirates 2 boring. Both had funny parts but overall, they were slow to me.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

So it goes! No movie can have universal appeal...

[widget-alley.livejournal.com]

This evening I watched the final episode of Casanova, the 2005 BBC3 mini-series starring David Tennant, Peter O'Toole....

*eyes fall out of her head* I knew about DT, but.... but... but... but... but... PETER O'TOOLE? AND DAVID TENNANT? AND PETER O'TOOLE? AND DAVID TENNANT? AND PETER O'TOO-- *head explodes*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, David Tennant and Peter O'Toole in the same movie. It doesn't get much better than that. Mind you, they never appear together, as they play the same character at different times in his life. Still. Peter O'Toole and David Tennant. That Russell T. Davies does some amazing casting.

[vervassal.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that was pretty much my reaction.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Three cheers for the really good ones!

...Like, for instance, that cool icon.

[lilithlotr.livejournal.com]

dammit, Rose Byrne was absolutely fabulous in.. I forget! Something with Orli.

But yeah, Casanova. David is amazing, no?

Mind you, Chris is still my favorite doctor.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Were you thinking of Troy? I hated Briseis!

I agree David is amazing. I agree that Chris is my favourite Doctor. He was just... as good as it gets.

[msilverstar]

We loved Casanova, saw it after Christmas Invasion but before the Tenth Doctor season came on.

David was brilliant in it, but Henriette was an impossible part: she had to love him and leave him, and it would take a genius actor and script both to pull that off.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Henriette was an impossible part

Yes, and we actually saw very little of her. Nonetheless, I felt that her dialogue was distancing rather than endearing or amusing - probably deliberately, but I would have liked a little more connection to her. The only part where I liked her was when she got a nurse for Casanova after her husband shot him....

I was left thinking that Casanova, with his hopeless love for her, was a bit of a glutton for punishement. Which was okay: he was utterly endearing and fun to watch.