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:

During King Henry's visit, a monk is forcibly detained in an attempt to give Henry a paper. In reality, King Henry III was killed exactly so: a monk, under the subterfuge of giving Henry a private message, fatally stabbed him while whispering in his ear.

Goofs:

Continuity: Marco's hand in Veronica's hair when kissing in the niche in the street.

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.

Soundtrack:

Ungaresca e saltarello

One of the best and most passionate movies ever made

This particular movie was lost in the shuffle somewhere but I am certainly glad I found it. Catherine McCormack (Braveheart) portrays an innocent girl, that loses in love so decides to do what she has to do just to have him any way possible. It's a very backwards Cinderella. A good girl that falls in love with a "prince" (he's from a family with a title and she's not) but will true love prevail? Rufus Sewell is to die for, the sexiest and most talented actor to come our way in years. The rest of the fine cast Oliver Platt, Moira Kelly, Naomi Watts, Fred Ward and Jacqueline Bisset are very convincing in their portrayals of these period characters. I have had every single one of my friends watch it and they all have enjoyed it as much as I have. The music is fantastic and we even get a short history lesson. With this sensational cast, the storyline that is based on actual poetry books from a Courtisan, it really is my favorite historical romance of all time. Take the time to find this rare gem and see it as soon as possible.