Those who saw the everfamous French police adventure films during 60s and 70s probably remember some few figures very well. I mean, the films were also great, but some faces were as great and representative of those days. Alain Delon was certainly the leading one among them. He always was "the man" of those films. A unique combination of ice-blue eyes, French arrogance and a bit of Meditterannean womanizer. He always had that air on him. The Man of ultimate beauty. Today, there are stars like Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Ralp Fiennes, who might be at the equal ground as Delon once played, but none of them come closer to his aura. He was a unique formula, and that formula only worked around Europe and Far East. Delon made several films in his career. He had his full actions, loved many women, killed many men, got killed sevral times. Naturally, like everyone in this universe, he's had his screen time come to an end. He is no longer the ultimate seducer, his looks don't penetrate as before, his face gathered wrinkles, the glimmer in his eyes faded. Unlike some others, Delon took all this natural process in piece. He didn't dye his hair, didn't have any surgical operation to make him look artificially younger. He took the hard fact of being old "like the brave men he portrayed in his films". It is a pity that although he still lives we no longer can watch such a star on the silver screen.
But, this is the last film he delivers the last remittances of his ever famous qualities. Casanova is a perfect match for Delon. He should have played the younger Casanova during 60s or 70s, when he was at his best appearance levels. But, this film also works very well for him. He is an aged Casanova, who is getting towards the end of his "usuall career", and he wants to put an end to this via his last seduction. The Return of Casanova is a very nicely designed film with carefully delivered details of the time Casanova lived. The scene where Casanova delivers a mission to the landlady is incredibly nice. Delon, unlike most of his films, also delivers a very deep acting. Most importantly, the screen images he throws fits perfectly well with the Casanova role. Some parts of this film reminded me of Kubrick's masterpiece, called Barry Lyndon, particularly in some interior scenes. Unlike Barry Lyndon, this films lacks some of the filmographic qualities, such as music. It could have been a true masterpiece if the director thought of using some of the classic tunes of the time to match with the heavy atmosphere of the time. The duel at the end and Casanova's final arrival to Venice with his wonderful blue hat could have been much greater if the cinematography and music were enhanced. Delon had given his most dramatic looks, but the director didn't spend enough screentime and didn't add some dramatic music to go with it.
In summary, if you are among the ultimate Delon fans, don't miss this film because this would be the last where you can feel Delon's everfamous aura, watch his ice-cold blue eyes glimmering for a last seduction. Adieu Delon, the ultimate seducer. Women will miss you a lot.
P.S. this film can be obtained from on-line stores, in a dvd format with several bonus trailers of other Delon films, but the pity was that the film didn't have English subtitles, like many of Delon films released recently in dvd format in France.
