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:

prostitution | courtesan | inquisition | coitus | nudity | 

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Taglines:

A life without compromise.

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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

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$105,989, 22 February 1998, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$4,530,929, 5 July 1998

Company Credits

Production Co:

Regency Enterprises,Arnon Milchan Productions,The Bedford Falls Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

Veronica Franco: What do you yearn for, King Henry?
King Henry: [He holds a dagger at her throat] You've heard the rumors, Veronica?
Veronica Franco: Yes, sire.
King Henry: The king's a pervert.
Veronica Franco: What do you really yearn for, King Henry?
King Henry: Tears.
Veronica Franco: Tears for whom?
King Henry: Your tears.
Veronica Franco: You yearn for my tears? I don't think so.
King Henry: Then what do I yearn for?
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Siskel & Ebert: Deep Impact/Woo/Clockwatchers/Little Men/Artemisia/In Our Own Hands (1998)

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Soundtracks

Libro quarto d'intavolotura di Chitatone
Composed by Johannes Hieronymus Kapsberger

User Reviews

Brilliant - Bravo! Last 10 minutes is superb.

Four of us (aged 40 - 50) saw this on video and thoroughly enjoyed it. The speeches at the end provide us with the finest acting and script that is available.

The film is a bit slow in the beginning, but don't give up because this is one incredible piece of dramatic art.