Casanova 70 (1965)
7/10
Seventy Casanova's.
12 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Getting close to 1,500 reviews,I started to decide what film to view that stars the ravishingly beautiful Michelle Mercier. While looking for info on Mario Bava's Danger Diabolik,I found out that Giallo queen (and Diabolik star) Marisa Mell appeared in Mercier movie! Which led to me counting the 70 Casanova's.

The plot:

Caught staging a fake break-in after telling his girlfriend he had to go to a NATO meeting, Il maggiore Andrea Rossi-Colombotti is told by his girlfriend Noelle that he is impotent,and only way he can get excited is by staging fake events where his life is at risk. Going to a therapist, Colombotti uncovers his Casanova lust for danger. Trying to hold back,Colombotti finds the eyes of new ladies too tough to resist.

View on the film:

Opening with animated credits, co-writer/(with Agenore Incrocci/Furio Scarpelli/ Tonino Guerra/Giorgio Salvioni and Suso Cecchi D'Amico) director Mario Monicelli & cinematographer Aldo Tonti give this "70" Casanova gallons of 60's chic,with each of Colombotti's brief encounters taking place against a plush 60's backdrop of bright primary colours giving the movie a fluffy atmosphere. Displaying some skin of his leading ladies, Monicelli gives the tales a friendly, cheeky mood,as extended sight-gags bounce around with cartoon sound effects.

Whilst not an "official" anthology title,the writers stray very close to the format,from the mix of each meeting/story Colombotti has with a woman varying from 15 minutes,to in one case under two minutes,and Colombotti's attempts to runaway becoming increasingly peculiar. Leaving no time to give the characters the smallest hint of depth over 110 minutes, the writers make everyone so fleeting that the situation-led jokes dry up before they hit their punchlines,due to their being minimal relationships built with their Casanova.

Unintentionally sending Colombotti on his adventures, Michèle Mercier gives a glamorous performance as Noelle,which stands out thanks to Mercier giving Noelle an awareness of Colombotti's games. Linking each "story" Marcello Mastroianni rids the grating aspects of Colombotti's "troubles" with layers of charm that entices the ladies and the viewer,as Casanova gets to 70.
5 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed