I do believe I'm in love. Catherine McCormack in this movie is truly every man's wildest fantasy... she can recite poetry, swordfight, is bookish smart... Oh, and she's pretty good between the sheets too. Of course her major drawback is she's a courtesan (A sort of high class prostitute) so I'd have to share her with around 100 other men. But never mind... I'm sure we could reach some kind of arrangement. Come to me, my pretty. I hope you like cats and Wispa bars.Set in the 16th century in a very decadent Venice, it tell of the rise and decline of the beautiful city, where unbridled pleasure was interrupted by war and the eventual arrival of religious fanatics, which saw all harlots guilty of witchcraft. It wasn't the best period to be a female, as your sole purpose seemed to be either a breeding machine or a household slave. But those beautiful enough had another option: Service the rich and powerful in their every sordid desire, and you got inundated with gifts and invited to lots of lavish parties as well as living like a queen. That is, until your looks faded...This had me involved from the start, helped no doubt by the gorgeous heroine but also by the host of other delightful characters, including Rufus Sewell as her unattainable true love from a higher station, and Oliver Platt as his cousin, who moves to the God Squad after a bit of brainwashing. The reenactment of 1500's Italy seems spot on (not that I claim to be an expert) and the tale told is both amusing and absorbing. Well worth your time.And Catherine, if you're reading this, my number is... Oops, I don't want my hotline to be too engaged. Tell you what, PM me... 7/10

Dangerous Beauty, featuring Catherine McCormack and Rufus Sewell is an amazing rendition of the story of a famous 16th century Venetian courtesan and poet, Veronica Franco that is pulled from the book by Margaret Rosenthal, The Honest Courtesan.. It delves deep into the politics of the era with a seriousness that doesn't come off completely overwhelming. Amidst the serious politics is the witty and comic banter of the characters to keep it somewhat light-hearted.Veronica Franco (Catherine McCormack) is in love with Marco Venier (Rufus Sewell) but they are forbidden to marry as she is of a lower social status. Veronica is left with two options, join the convent or become a courtesan. Veronica opts for the latter. Quickly gaining high esteem with her wit and beauty, she becomes one of the top courtesans. Marco, having been forced to marry another woman grows jealous of the men she takes as lovers. They reconnect and Veronica stops taking other clients until war breaks out and she is forced to seduce the king of France to secure his military support. While the war is being fought at sea, plague breaks out and religious zealots claim it is punishment for the city's moral degradation bringing with them the Inquisition.While the story of this movie is superb, it does tend to feel a bit slow. However, as the story unfolds it ensnares. I found myself completely enveloped in the characters that are all very well portrayed by the actors. Historically, it is not entirely accurate, but again it never claims to be. It is simply a dramatic love story loosely based on events that really happened.Dangerous Beauty may be seen by some as a feminist movie that supports prostitution, but I see it as a movie that shows what situations were like in the 16th century. Women were not seen as people, but objects to be bought and sold. Veronica Franco was on of the women throughout history that showed that women could be intelligent and have thoughts of their own. People like her have helped shaped the world to promote free thought and diversity.

When I wrote the following review, I had not read the book on which it is based. Since then I have. The book is a non-fiction book about main character and her time. I liked it but it is not historical fiction. I wouldn't recommend it unless you like scholarly non-fiction in feminist studies. The film claims to be a true story, but it really isn't. Not that much is known about Veronica Franco's life particularly the first part of it. There can be conjecture, of course, but the claim of it all being true is somewhat ambitious. Here is my original reviewThis film shows the methods a strong and intelligent woman might use to control men while making them feel as if they are in control of her. It shows women being witty, well educated, responsible and cleaver - often more so than men. Such would naturally appeal to many who find few cleaver women represented in modern films. The production values are good and there is an abundance of spectacle. Venice, itself, is a fascinating and exotic city. Filming there with a good crew and excellent costumes is sure to please and this film comes through in that department. Don't underestimate the value and pleasure of a well shot and costumed film. Many people go to films just to see such things. Even history buffs love to see a film that tries to represent what it must have been like at the timeThe film gets weaker when it comes to the script. Not that the script is bad, at times it is cleaver, but the plotting is predictable. The film claims to be a true story, because it was taken from an biography. Assuming the film is faithful to the biography, there are so many improbable things in the film that I would have to question how truthful the author was. (For example: a mother raises her family to adulthood, and they do not know that she was once a famous courtesan in the very town they are living in.) Also it is difficult to imagine how Veronica on her first experience as a courtesan could come out with witty and bawdy poetry done off the cuff to an audience of nobles, when she had previously lived a cloistered existence "perfecting her manners." Yes, she had had practice writing poetry, but not BAWDY poetry. Such things weaken the plot but they do not have to be fatal to the film. they are not major flaws and a film overcome them with strong acting, tight pacing and well handled dramatic moments.The acting, however, is not the best, and the pacing can sometimes be rather slow - much like the kind of pacing you would see on TV. If you are someone who wants acting that rings true, tight pacing and well handled drama, then this film will not appeal to you. History has been full of interesting, powerful and capable women. Women who have had incredible influence over men in the highest of positions, and women who have held those high positions without the aid of men. It was a woman, after all, who may have been history's most brilliant General - Joan of Arc. Yet it seems a surprise to many that a movie would "dare" to show that there were such women in history. If you like this movie, I recommend you start reading some history. There is a lot of it that is well written. Historical fiction is also interesting but real history is the best. In fact I think I will pick up a copy of "The Honest Courtesan" on which this film is based. For you see, I am one of those people who wants tight pacing, good acting and well handled drama. While I was disappointed in the film, I have a feeling that I might like the book much better.

I first saw this movie with a man who is now my ex-boyfriend. It took months to click, but after watching it, I realized, "That's me; That's my life!" Kind of crazy to relate to a Renaissance call girl, yet, this movie is about more than that. Prior to Women's Lib, these women fought for the education they desired, even though it meant selling their bodies to do it; something most women take for granted today are the wonderful opportunities we have towards an education. More than that, it has something to fit almost every movie lover's heart: from great sword play, excellent costuming, to lots of passion and behaviors to study up on--not to mention all of the wonderfully witty comments! Add a cast of incredible actors (that includes the women), and you have quite a masterpiece. Plus, it's based upon a biography of the actual life of famous Italian Courtesan Veronica Franco! What a history lesson! As much as it sounds like a chic-flick, I've seen both sexes thoroughly enjoy this movie--especially the men. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys action, playful wordings, and raw human emotion. This one's a definite ten in my book!