A star crossed lover in Reformation Venice has no choice but to become a courtesan, but when the moralists fix her in their sights who will come to her defence? A helluva story struggling to burst out of this production. We're consciously in Shakespeare territory, with some witty exchanges between the lovers and their peers, delivered in metrical dialogue. The lovers' dilemma is presented with aching charm, and the sets and costumes give lavish support to a story that is well performed. But it doesn't work.While the cinematography is skillful, the tone is too bright and flat, leaving the feel of a TV production. The erotic scenes are tastefully dull, and the music swells through every moment with lush romanticism, punctuated by impish montages. As the story proceeds the number of scenes with the script direction ALL LAUGH increases, and the motivations of the characters fall flat. The final showdown is childishly embarrassing. No idea where they went wrong, although I suspect the director/producer is to blame.Overall: Oil is to water as fairy tale is to tragedy.

Dangerous Beauty is a biopic that was based on a novel entitled The Honest Courtesan by Margaret Rosenthal.It is about a courtesan,Veronica Franco during the 16th century who became a hero and later became a target of an inquisition by the Church for witchcraft. It stars Catherine McCormack together with Rufus Sewell,Oliver Platt,Naomi Watts,Jacqueline Bisset and Moira Kelly.While there is nothing groundbreaking about the story and the film itself,the performances of the cast transformed it into becoming more than just a melodramatic movie.Jacqueline Bisset and Moira Kelly are outstanding as Veronica's mother and Beatrice respectively.And definitely,Catherine McCormack was flawless from one scene to another whether it was dramatic or comedic as the main character,Veronica.Added to that,the cinematography and the production effects were also noteworthy that it provided the film great look of film that took place centuries ago.One more thing about it is we get to one of the better films that is told from a woman's point of view particularly that of an interesting character such as that of a courtesan.This is definitely worth watching.

I saw this movie in the theater on a girl's night and I now own it on DVD. I think this movie suffers from a rather silly title and could have made Catherine McCormack a star if it had been more widely seen. Ms. McCormack seems to be molded from the same line of icy blond beauties that produced Gwyneth Paltrow and Cate Blanchett. I think Ms. McCormack has the edge in looks, acting ability, and on screen passion. It doesn't seem fair that the former are mega stars and no one seems to know Catherine McCormack. Se was also excellent in A Sound of Thunder - another of my favorite movies.The movie itself features a number of my favorite actors and it is beautifully filmed. The Italian Renaissance costumes are exquisite, particularly the apricot/peach dress she wears on her first night as a courtesan. I want that dress and I want that life! The relationship with Marco is okay, nothing that hasn't been done a thousand times. It's the scenes of her mother teaching her to be a courtesan, the scenes of her learning her way among men, the poetry battles, her charming nervous fumbling on her first night with a man, her exquisite verbal fluency and ability to hold her own in a male-dominated world that really captured my attention.This is a beautiful historical romance/drama with quality in every aspect - the music, the costuming, the sets, the cinematography. The acting is first rate across the board. Everyone turns in an outstanding performance. The fact that the movie is based on historical fact is simply a bonus. I think every woman longs to be Veronica Franco at some point.

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.