Casanova (Masterpiece Theater)
And now for something completely randy and ribald fromMasterpiece Theatre. This re-telling of the Casanova legend is a thoroughly modern romp with rollicking escapades, a sly anachronistic tone, and wardrobe malfunctions. More, it is graced with a poignant performance by Peter O' Toole (Lawrence of Arabia,My Favorite Year) as the aged lothario. Toiling in obscurity as a count's librarian, he regales an appalled, yet intrigued, parlor maid (Rose Byrne) with the story of his eventful life. David Tennant (Doctor Who) stars as the opportunistic, charming, and indefatigable young Casanova, illegitimately born to a neglectful actress mother. He becomes a scholar and sets about reinventing himself (as lawyer, doctor, and astrologer) to gain entry into Venice's noble circles. Here, he meets the enchanting Henriette (Laura Fraser), his one true love, but who is determined to marry for money and security. The first ofCasanova's two parts is the most fun. Our tireless heroes' prodigious sexual exploits are rendered more comic than carnal. From two sisters (simultaneously!), he learns the secret of seducing women: "Just listen." Nina Sosanya (Love, Actually) costars as Bellino, a castrato, who presents Casanova with aVictor/Victoria-like conundrum.Casanovacannot keep up the pace of the cheeky first half as the stakes get higher in his pursuit of the elusive Henriette. He runs afoul of her jealous and powerful fiancé, Count Grimani (Rupert Penry-Jones), setting the stage for an ultimately heartbreaking love story that will span a lifetime.Casanovais as smart, seductive, and sad as its hero. As one character tells Casanova before a Bellino performance,  "You are in for a treat."--Donald Liebenson