Dangerous Beauty (1998)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Marshall Herskovitz

Writers (WGA):

Margaret Rosenthal (book)
Jeannine Dominy (written by)

Release Date:

20 February 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Passion. Seduction. Betrayal. A Scandalous Love Story.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Courtesan | Inquisition | Poetry | Serenade | Mob

Cast

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

Also Known As:

The Honest Courtesan (UK) (USA) (working title)
A Destiny of Her Own (Australia)
Courtesan (USA) (working title)
Venice (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Singapore:M18 | USA:R (certificate #35176) | Philippines:R-18 | Australia:M | Cyprus:Cat. 3 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | South Korea:18 | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Odescalchi Castle, Bracciano, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company:

Regency Enterprises

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.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Veronica and Bea leave the sewing room, Veronica leans down to pick up her book. It is in her right hand and Bea's right hand is in Veronica's left hand as they leave the room and runs down the staircase. When they enter the street, there is no book and Veronica is holding Bea's left hand with (Veronica's) right hand.

Quotes:

Paola Franco: In order to choose your lovers wisely, you need to understand men. No matter their shape or size... position or wealth... they all dream of the temptress. The irresistible... unapproachable Venus... who quickly turns pliable maiden when they've had a hard day.

Soundtrack:

Scopri O Lingua

Superb

I saw this when it first came out and I just saw it again on video. Superb movie. I adore Venice and feel I got a real taste of what it must have been like in the 16th century. Great photography and costumes. Beautiful actors. Comedy. Romance. Based on a true story. Shows some of the ugliness of the zealot church of the time. A must see and one of the year's best. Where were the critics on this one? Played to empty theaters mostly. What a shame.