This movie is both a comedy and a mystery thriller. It has its assets, such as some very impressive work with regard to sets and props. The viewer gets Venice, yes, but he gets Venice as filtered through the mind of the protagonist, who, as it turns out, has a somewhat limited imagination and tends to think of the city in terms of tropes and cliches. (Crumbling palaces ! Theatres ! Rococo figurines ! Hidden doorways and secret passages !) There are also some nice performances to enjoy, especially by the three actresses who play the respective partners and lovers of our protagonist.
Still, there is something which keeps the movie from soaring : it is enjoyable, but not outstanding. Perhaps this has something to do with the constant references to Ben Jonson's "Volpone". First of all, not everyone is going to get these references - in terms of fame, the play is not as universally known as, say, Shakespeare's "Hamlet" or "Romeo and Juliet". Secondly, it may not be such a good idea to put a complicated plot on top of another complicated plot.
I was also annoyed by the various voice-overs explaining the thoughts and motivations of the characters. (This, strangely, included dead characters.) Last of all the ending felt facile and ill-considered. Let's suppose that the story really happened. Where would this leave us, in real life ? I don't know for sure, but I would guess with two young idiots about to get embroiled in hideously expensive and complicated litigation for the next thirty years or so. Remember, when there's talk of opulent inheritances, everyone will want to have his or her share : creditors, business partners, family members, old lovers, charities,... And let's not forget the taxman - or, in this case, the massed taxmen of at least two large countries...
No, I don't see this thing ending well, one way or the other.
Still, there is something which keeps the movie from soaring : it is enjoyable, but not outstanding. Perhaps this has something to do with the constant references to Ben Jonson's "Volpone". First of all, not everyone is going to get these references - in terms of fame, the play is not as universally known as, say, Shakespeare's "Hamlet" or "Romeo and Juliet". Secondly, it may not be such a good idea to put a complicated plot on top of another complicated plot.
I was also annoyed by the various voice-overs explaining the thoughts and motivations of the characters. (This, strangely, included dead characters.) Last of all the ending felt facile and ill-considered. Let's suppose that the story really happened. Where would this leave us, in real life ? I don't know for sure, but I would guess with two young idiots about to get embroiled in hideously expensive and complicated litigation for the next thirty years or so. Remember, when there's talk of opulent inheritances, everyone will want to have his or her share : creditors, business partners, family members, old lovers, charities,... And let's not forget the taxman - or, in this case, the massed taxmen of at least two large countries...
No, I don't see this thing ending well, one way or the other.