Tim Johnson I loved everything about the movie except the terrible soundtrack; the music was a definite detraction from the action on the screen. Admittedly, I saw this film on TV last night and I enjoyed everything about the film besides the musical background.I thought, as did other commentators, that the historical epic blossomed fully, the costumes, the physical settings and the sprinkling of real historical figures: how many films are produced with the personage of the Venetian Doge sitting amongst his Senators and other governmental officials. Given contemporary schooling, this could easily be the last generation for decades that would ever know about Venetian Doges or about the Ottoman attack on Malta and its importance to European history or what the Inquisition was all about.The film was a delicious compendium of choice morsels of historical dishes that allowed the viewer to leave the TV table well satisfied.

Desertman84 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.

AaronCapenBanner Marshall Herskovitz directed this sumptuous looking drama set in 16th century Venice. Catherine McCormack plays real life woman Veronica Franco, who out of necessity becomes a courtesan to the rich and powerful men of the royal court after being properly tutored by her experienced mother(played by Jacqueline Bisset) though really loves a nobleman(played by Rufus Sewall) whom she is unable to marry, though when the worsening plague strikes the city, women like her are put on trial by the inquisition, prompting him to come to her public defense. Though uneven dramatically, this film is well-acted and still a most interesting look at that point in history.

Briana Boot 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.