Casanova '70

Casanova '70 is a 1965 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Monicelli and starring Marcello Mastroianni, Virna Lisi, and Marisa Mell. The film tells the story of an Italian Army officer named Andrea Rossi-Colombotti, who is a successful and skilled seducer. Despite his charm and good looks, Andrea suffers from a peculiar condition that prevents him from achieving sexual satisfaction with any woman until he falls in love. This condition of his becomes a major obstacle in his desire to have an intimate relationship.

The film opens with Andrea starting off as a playboy, engaging in multiple sexual affairs with various women including a blonde air force pilot named Luisa (Marisa Mell) and a married countess named Franca (Michèle Mercier). His escapades are brought to an abrupt end, however, when he is brought in for a psychiatric evaluation to determine his fitness for military duty. During the examination, Andrea reveals his peculiar condition to the examining doctors, who are left baffled by it. Determined to maintain his position as a leading lothario, Andrea seeks possible cures for his condition.

He seeks the help of a sexologist, who suggests that he induces some psychological damage to himself to gain his sexual desires. As such, Andrea starts to visit the brothel under a false name to have sex with other women, believing that this will help him cure his peculiar condition quickly. On one of his visits to a brothel, Andrea meets his next victim, a woman named Gigliola (Virna Lisi). However, Gigliola is different from the other women Andrea has seduced before as she seems to have no interest in him.

Gigliola is a feminist, and she is leading a movement that empowers Italian women to receive reproductive health care and demand better working conditions. Despite Andrea's constant advances towards her, she remains distant and focused on her own cause. Intrigued by her resistance and motivated by his desire to indulge in sexual satisfaction, Andrea poses as a journalist and infiltrates the movement under the pretext of covering their activities. As he spends more time with Gigliola, he slowly begins to fall in love with her. With his condition cured and his love for Gigliola discovered, Andrea must make a choice and decide who he wants to be with.

The film's plot is witty, clever, and fast-paced, with Marcello Mastroianni's charismatic performance as Andrea being a highlight of the movie. He is charming, witty, and at times, downright hilarious. Additionally, Virna Lisi as Gigliola gives a standout performance, portraying her character's strength and determined nature in ways that make her both admirable and alluring.

Casanova '70 is a comedy movie that pokes fun at the societal norms of the 1960s while simultaneously showcasing the struggles that individual characters face in a changing world. It uses humor to explore themes of love, sex, and gender roles in a lighthearted and entertaining manner. Overall, Casanova '70 is an engaging and delightful film that is sure to leave viewers with a smile on their faces.