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 real Veronica Franco had 6 children, three of whom died in infancy.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During the love scene with Marco, his smallpox vaccination scar is clearly visible on his left upper arm.

Quotes:

Veronica Franco: If I were yours alone, your property, chaste and silent, you would soon tire of me.
Marco Venier: You're wrong!
Veronica Franco: Am I?

Soundtrack:

Zorzi

This is a wonderful movie! In many ways.... A must see

I LOVED this movie. It is especially gripping when you stop to realize it is based on a true story! It's lead character is based on Veronica Franco, citizen and writer from sixteenth century Venice. Margaret F Rosenthal wrote about her in "The Honest Courtesan".

The acting is superb...the period costuming is fantastic. As is the scenery. This is a must see on many levels.

The courtesans in this era were intelligent, witty, and refined. Married woman of the time (the wealthy ones) were confined to a very dull life while their husbands entertained themselves with well educated courtesans. The courtesans were the only women allowed in the libraries of the day. As much as I love books...there is no doubt in my mind as to what role I would have chose! lol The movie revolves around those of wealth. The poor women of the day are in terrible straits...I'm glad this era is over.

Seriously, this is a wonderful movie visually. And, it is spiced with some interesting bits of history.

It is not one to take your kids to which usually causes me to deduct points. But, the scenes that make it unsuitable for children are absolutely essential for this story. And, what a wonderful story! Oh, and another delight is the music. Buy the CD!