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

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

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

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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

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

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Soundtracks

Miserere Miseris
Anonymous

User Reviews

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.