Casanova '70 (1965)

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

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.

It's an excellent comedy, with multiple moments of laughter, 2 of the most beautiful women in the world at that moment, and a fantastic appearance from Mastroianni.The plot is simple, yet effective enough to develop feelings for "Andrea", in his continuous search of sexual pleasure under danger.The production is in rather good shape, despite being 50-years old film. I just have some small complains about the sound, sometimes is a bit off.It's really a shame this film isn't more well-known. Really recommended!

"Casanova '70" is a colourful movie directed by Mario Monicelli, one of the Italian comedy masters. The film follows the sexual adventures of Andrea (Marcello Mastroianni), a handsome "Casanova" who thinks being impotent, in reality he only needs danger for being excited and conquer women...The film is a product of its time (we clearly see that we're in 1965!), but it's funny and teases the myth of Italian "macho". The merit of the picture is talking about sex without being vulgar. Mastroianni shows a comical approach and is at ease, also the rest of the cast enjoy (we see, among others, gorgeous women like Virna Lisi, Michèle Mercier and Marisa Mell...). In a role -Mell's husband- we find Italian director Marco Ferreri, famous for "outrageous" movies like "La grande bouffe", "Tales of ordinary madness", "Bye bye Monkey" and long time friend of Marcello Mastroianni.Once more, when we see such films we miss an extremely vivacious Italian cinema which doesn't exist any more.

Mastrioanni is at his best. He cannot have sex unless there is danger to his life.Best scene is when a Sicilian family [owners of a restaurant where he is having lunch alone] drags a young girl to her bedroom and locks her up.Her husband of one hour has exclaimed that he wants nothing to do with her because she in not pure.Mastroianni explains to the Sicilians that he is a medical doctor and would be very happy to examine her and determine whether or not she is pure.He goes into her room and closes the door. Two hours later he emerges all sweaty, bug-eyed and shaking.He exclaims "she is pure." At about this time the real doctor arrives and the chase is on.This picture is so funny.It is as if Mastroianni is the whole Marx brothers family rolled up into one person.I really believe Mastroianni was always at his best in comedy.Especially sexual comedy, Italian style.It is a shame this film is no longer available. Someone should bring it back. It is a classic.