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Catherine McCormack, Rufus Sewell, Jacqueline Bisset, Oliver Platt, Moira Kelly ... see more see more... , Fred Ward , Naomi Watts , Jeroen Krabbé , Joanna Cassidy , Daniel Lapaine , Jake Weber , Simon Dutton , Peter Eyre , Michael Culkin , Catherine Mc Cormack

Marshall Herskovitz directed this look at life in 16th-century Venice, based on Margaret Rosenthal's 1994 book The Honest Courtesan. Positioned outside of the Venetian court, Veronica Franco (Catherin... read more read more...e McCormack) hopes to rise above her station, but her interest in nobleman's son Marco Venier (Rufus Sewell) is blocked since his parents forbid their marriage. Following the path taken by her mother, Paola (Jacqueline Bisset), Veronica becomes a courtesan, finding this gives her a niche in the male-dominated society. When Vatican emissaries accuse her of witchcraft, she lashes back, using the trial as a feminist forum to expose the hypocrisies of the period. Filmed in 1996 in Venice and Rome with a variety of working titles (Courtesan, Venice, and The Honest Courtesan). ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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85% liked it

8,689 ratings

Critics

70% liked it

27 critics

R, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: Marshall Herskovitz

Release Date: February 20, 1998

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DVD Release Date: October 27, 1998

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Stats: 742 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (742)

  • imrealgod
    June 3, 2011
    imrealgod
    I'd like to forewarn you at the very outset that my rating is biased. Besides, there might be an indirect SPOILER, though I've tried my best not to convey it or give anything away. But I'm not sure whether I've succeeded in it or not.

    Now here's a movie which has nothing new to ... read moreoffer. A mediocre for most of the part. Almost just another historical love story. If it weren't for the occasional interesting sequences in the middle of this love story, I don't know if I'd have made it till the end. Well, not at least in one sitting.

    So, you may be wondering why the heck four stars for such a movie? Well, I'd like to admit that my rating is based genuinely on the effect the ending of the movie had on me. I was expecting just the usual ending that one is supposed to expect from this kind of movies (okay, I didn't know the factual story on which this movie was based), but I was blown away by what it was. I can't remember having watched this kind of ending for a movie of this type. For a movie that proceeds in a mediocre way, this surely was a great achievement. And I'm glad that I made it till the very end. The confession speech could have been penned more fiery, though. While it was poetic, it wasn't fiery enough. (Strange coincidence that the last movie I watched was great all the way, but for its conventional ending. And here, it's the ending that made this movie so great for me!!!)

    The performances weren't quite up to the mark here, except for Oliver Platt (playing the role of Maffio Venier). Both the protagonists, Catherine McCormack & Rufus Sewell, were quite unimpressive. Naomi Watts seemed to be sleepwalking in her short role. Oliver Platt was incredibly great & made a mark in each frame he appeared.

    Despite of having liked the ending so much, I won't recommend it to anyone on the strength of its ending alone. Because let's face it, after all, it was nothing in the veins of 'The Sixth Sense' or 'The Others' that most of the people would appreciate. While I found the ending quite genuine, it might as well be just another ending for others.
  • deano
    September 4, 2007
    deano
    This 16th century drama in sexy film is filled with visual and verbal splendor.
  • gatorgirl13
    May 6, 2007
    gatorgirl13
    WOW! This movie is a tad bit out there, but it is very good. I cried because towards the end it gets very emotional.
  • SunilJawahir
    October 8, 2011
    SunilJawahir
    A period drama with no real feeling.
  • fb100002946249850
    December 18, 2011
    fb100002946249850
    Feminists would have a field day watching Dangerous Beauty, the story of Veronica Franco, the honest courtesan from Venice and her love for nobleman Marco. There's everything in it for them here. Unrequited love, sexual awakening, the cravings for a free life, marriage.
    There is ... read morea scene that plays out Veronica's sexual awakening where she is initially stressed, turns curious and then starts to enjoy whats happening to her. All of it plays to near perfection on Catherine Mccormack's pretty face, one of the big reasons why we, us men I mean, stick on with this movie.
  • PinkMinkPrincess
    June 8, 2011
    PinkMinkPrincess
    This Is one of my Favorite Movies, But Then I'm a Sucker for History, Unrequited Love, Empowered Women in History,Period Movies & Costumes, & Awesome Scenery & Love Scenes.I Am No Women's Libber, in fact I am a Girlie Girl in more ways than I care to admit, but I do enjoy learni... read moreng the History of the 1st Women who were allowed by Society, or the Out Skirts of it, such as Courtesans & Geisha"s who were well learned in many Arts, including Politics, History, The Events of the Day, Music, Poetry, Etc. & played Instruments, Wrote & Read Poetry & other Books, along with Skills of Love.As I mentioned, I am a Girly Girl, so the History of Platform Shoes was irresitible to me , as Venice in this Period ,is the Birthplace of the Platform Shoe.Women of Wealth, Stature, Fashion, as well as Courtesans wore shoes up to 2 Feet High(needing Aid to Walk in some cases)to keep their Gowns from getting wet in the waters that often overflowed the walkways of Venice's famous canals & streets.More importantly than these details that fascinate me, is the fact that our Heroine is the 1st Published Female Poet in recorded History.She also had influence on some of the Most Important Men of the Time, & in one case, trying not to spoil your fun, there were Dominatrix Methods applied to a King!!!!
    I recommend this Movie all the time.On A trip to Europe with my European Hubby(R.I.P), I simply had to seek out some of the locations when I was in Venice.It is safe to say, this Movie, for many reasons, is Dear to My Heart & I own it as well
  • tennisp21
    May 3, 2011
    tennisp21
    I started this as a guilty pleasure. A story about a courtesan, how scandalous. But by the end, the feminist (or really, humanist) in me was really tickled. Victoria's circumstance in life intrigued me and her actions were unique, yet inspiring. Despite all the nudity (naked fema... read morele breasts, really) and sex, it tackled the difficulty of a woman's place in the world. I also enjoyed the costumes and settings, which were gorgeous. The romantic in me also enjoyed the love story, which crossed barriers of social class, marriage and church.

    It's based on a true story, which considering the end (which was unbelievable to me) warrants further research on my part.Overall I may be overrating this with 4.5 stars, but I seriously enjoyed it.
  • MovieSnob
    January 13, 2011
    MovieSnob
    A powerful true story about the lengths the women of their time and place had to take for love and freedom. Great costumes and good acting.
  • BarbaraAnnTheMovieFan
    February 13, 2010
    BarbaraAnnTheMovieFan
    Very interesting "true story". Rufus Sewell is fast becoming one of my newest favorites. He's yummy!
  • jam233
    December 29, 2009
    jam233
    Lavishly produced, fine costumes and art direction, superb cinematography and decent period flavor. It can be a bit tedious to watch though and I yawned more than once. Still, one has to admire the effort. The performance from Catherine Mc Cormack is too weak and not very convinc... read moreing. The rest of the cast is pretty good.

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Critic Reviews

David Noh
January 9, 2007
David Noh, Film Journal International

There's an essential insipidity here, matched by its predictable music score. Full Review

Michael Dequina
December 28, 2004
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

By the time the end credits roll, though, Dangerous Beauty has become as trite and by-the-book as its title. Full Review

Carlo Cavagna
January 1, 2000
Carlo Cavagna, AboutFilm.com

a fancy bodice-ripper with a political message Full Review

Steve Rhodes
January 1, 2000
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews

Like some ribald tale from the Playboy Channel but with most of the sex scenes edited out. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
September 7, 2011
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Leonard Klady
March 26, 2009
Leonard Klady, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

April 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

Click to read the article Full Review

Jack Mathews
February 14, 2001
Jack Mathews, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

January 1, 2000
Houston Chronicle

No review available.

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • Veronica Franco: Then why are you here ?
    • Marco Venier: Because I could not stay away.
    • Veronica Franco: Well, then don't.
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