OUT of 201 seats, seven were occupied at a showing of Casanova. The 194 people had it right.

Lead Heath Ledger may be basking in Golden Globe glory for his performance in Brokeback Mountain, but he evidently had no acting tips here.

It was dismal.

The tale of the most famous 18th century bed-hopper who is captivated by forthright Francesca Bruni, a feminist writer, would be feasible except Ledger and his lady have less chemistry than a lump of wood.

Fittingly Britain's most popular style icon Sienna Miller should be the heroine in a film only aware of style over substance - Oscar Wilde would be proud.

For all that Casanova was meant to be, Miss Miller's debut as a serious actress has more of the Carry On... farcical element than anything award-winning.

On a positive note, the backdrop of Venice is breathtaking and even in this badly concocted comedy this isn't lost on the audience.

As are the costumes, which are incredibly authentic. So much so that I read that Miss Miller had found a day strapped into a corset rather gruelling.

The film is supported by some great actors: Jeremy Irons, who plays the pope's inquisitor, and Omid Dijlili as Casanova's servant and friend.

He takes on a ridiculous amount of fake identities to keep the viewers attention sustained longer than the amorous exchanges between Ledger and Miller.

Ironic that the film famous for bedtime action only served to send me to sleep.