Dangerous Beauty (1998)

A Venetian courtesan becomes a hero to her city, but later becomes the target of an inquisition by the Church for witchcraft.

Director:

Marshall Herskovitz

Writers:

Margaret Rosenthal (book), Jeannine Dominy

Stars:

Catherine McCormack, Rufus Sewell, Oliver Platt

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Catherine McCormack	...	Veronica Franco
Rufus Sewell	...	Marco Venier
Oliver Platt	...	Maffio Venier
Fred Ward	...	Domenico Venier
Naomi Watts	...	Giulia De Lezze
Moira Kelly	...	Beatrice Venier
Jacqueline Bisset	...	Paola Franco
Jeroen Krabbé	...	Pietro Venier
Joanna Cassidy	...	Laura Venier
Melina Kanakaredes	...	Livia
Daniel Lapaine	...	Serafino Franco
Justine Miceli	...	Elena Franco
Jake Weber	...	King Henry
Simon Dutton	...	Minister Ramberti
Grant Russell	...	Francesco Martenengo

Storyline

In 16th century Venice, courtesans enjoy unique privileges: dressed richly in red, they read, compose poetry and music, and discuss affairs of state with the men who govern the Republic. When Veronica Franco comes of age, she cannot marry Marco Venier, whom she loves, because she is well born but penniless. Her choice: cloister or courtesan. She steels her heart, and with beauty and intelligence becomes the best. She's a heroine when she helps convince France to aid Venice in war with Turks, but when plague descends, the Church charges her with witchcraft. At her inquisition, she must match wits with an old rival, speak for all women, and call courage from Venier.

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Plot Keywords:

courtesan | inquisition | beauty | turk | plague | 

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Taglines:

Born without privilege. Bound by tradition. She found the courage to follow her heart.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some scenes of strong sexuality, and for nudity and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 February 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Courtesan

Filming Locations:

Odescalchi Castle, Bracciano, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$105,989 (USA) (20 February 1998)

Gross:

£59,685 (UK) (30 April 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Regency Enterprises, Arnon Milchan Productions, Bedford Falls Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Veronica Franco depicted in the film was a real person. She was born in 1546 and died in 1591, at the age of forty-five. She was the most famous courtesan in Italy, but she was also famous for her satire and for her poetry.

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Goofs

During the party on Veronica's first night as a courtesan, the lock of hair switches from over her left ear to over her right and back again between shots.

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Quotes

Maffio Venier: Personally, I didn't think Uncle was still capable of getting it up. What did you do to him to get him to publish this little of ditties.
Marco Venier: She worked for it.
Maffio Venier: Ha, I bet she did. How much do you cost these days Veronica?
Veronica Franco: If your prick is as limp as your verse, no price can buy time enough.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Palmetto/Senseless/Dangerous Beauty/Mrs. Dalloway/Nil by Mouth/Live Flesh (1998)

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Soundtracks

Kapsberger
Written by Johannes Hieronymus Kapsberger

User Reviews

Good Story, Pretty Flat Delivery

I'm somewhat surprised to see this film rated so highly after watching it. I shall warn you that the film is neither as sexy as it may seem, nor is it nearly as well told as some may lead you to believe. The story here is definitely an interesting one, and even a fairly important one; However the execution leaves a lot to be desired.

The film claims to be a true story, which much of it likely is, but it is not told in an authentic way whatsoever, and that is my biggest dislike of the film. Few of the scenes seem like they are something that would have gone down quite the way the film tells us they did. It's just too far from reality. I'm not totally against films being unreal, or fantastical; But to me it just doesn't work well when you claim that you are telling a true story, but then most of the film is filled with scenes that don't really feel like they are portraying real characters and situations. This film feels more like a cartoon version of Venice circa the late 1500's, early 1600's. Nothing really fits quite right in this film despite the good story, and even at times despite some good dialogue. There are better versions of Fanny Hill out there that are comparable to this, and certainly more believable.

I'm sure this is one of those rare case of where a film about a prostitute is actually more appealing to women, then to men. Like another well known film of this sort, Pretty Woman, the film mixes prostitution with romance, which to me is not a problem at all if it's pulled off well. Unfortunately it just isn't pulled off that well in this case. Pretty Woman is easily a better film in my view, at least it has some good laughs and some fun and engaging characters, which this film for the most part does not.

My rating 4.5/10