Rating: 
Summary: Luscious, Sumptious and not at all sinfull
Review: We're talking a triumph! Seduction begins in the mind. Beauty and Brains, all set in the luscious grandeur of an age long past when women were chattel. There were those who rose above -- surrendering their respectability for freedom of mind and indulgence in the sensuality of life, for a fee but never trivialized by it. This is a mix of historical romance with just the right touch of modern feminism to make it memorable and a delight to those fortunate enough to add it to their collection. McCormack and Moira Kelley are astounding.
Rating:
Summary: A Vision
Review: This is a fantastic film. The producers have truly captured the essence of Venice at the end of her Golden Age. The historical basis of the film-making is sound and it is obvious that, while there is dramatic license taken in some respects, the people who created this film did their homework. Bravo!
Rating: 
Summary: Dangerously Disappointing
Review: A very disappointing movie. The script started out semi-decent, but turned into this fake charade. The love story was very stiff and uninteresting. The only reason I actually bought this dvd was for Naomi Watts, who I consider one of the greatest actresses of our time. I thought Catherine McCormack and Jacqueline Bisset did a pretty good job acting also, but those three performances were the only bright spots associated with this joke of a movie. This is a prime example of just how important a good screenplay is, the whole platform of the film was just so poorly fabricated. I DO in fact realize that this is one of the those mushy-feel-good movies, but even in regrards to that, it was so, so awful. Even Oliver Platt's performance was "so-so." I'll admit that some shots were well done, but Marshall Herskovitz definately gets no kudos for this piece. In the mood for a romantic movie...try something from Ang Lee, like "Eat Drink Man Woman" or if you can't read subtitles or too ignorant to, try another work by Lee, "Sense and Sensibility."
Rating: 
Summary: Deserved More Attention
Review: Set in 16th century Venice, it is a story of a young woman becoming a highly paid courtesan and the results of rejecting a penniless young man. This is a visually sumptuous film! It is well acted, well written, and beautifully filmed. It is filmed on location in Venice. While the ending may not be true (then again, it may), it does not detract from the film at all. It is a mesmerizing film. When it was in theatres, you heard nothing about it so you may have missed it. Buy it or rent it now and you won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a bad story, but only mildly interesting
Review: This 1998 film is set in seventeenth century Venice. Very loosely based on history, it stars Catherine McCormack as Veronica Franco, a beautiful woman who chose to be a courtesan because the nobleman she loves, played by Rufus Sewell, is forced into an arranged marriage. What follows is a predictable story about how she becomes the lover of most of the well-born men of Venice and even has time to write some poetry on the side. Not a bad idea for a story. Unfortunately though, Ms. McCormack can't act although she does look pretty in some gorgeous costumes. She keeps the same expression on her face throughout and I found it impossible to emotionally identify with her. Jacqueline Bisset, cast as her mother who trains her for this profession, does a much better job but her role is much too small to save this film, which I found only mildly interesting. There's also too much modern feminist rhetoric throughout. I give this film only the shadow of a lukewarm recommendation. There is much better stuff around.
Rating:
Summary: Sexy, well made period drama
Review: "Dangerous Beauty" is certainly lovely to look at. It was filmed in Rome and in Venice, two of the most photogenic cities on earth. It's a period piece. This type of film usually has a tough time at the boxoffice. There are exceptions of course. There's that indestructible movie about a beautiful, self centered woman who got through The Civil War and everything else anyway she could. Recently, there was a megahit that was sort of a retread of Romeo and Juliet, which took place on a ship that didn't make it to port. I don't know enough about 16th Century Italy to say if "Dangerous Beauty" is remotely accurate. I do know it tells a very interesting tale about a young woman who is not rich enough to marry her beloved. So she becomes a courtesan, which is what we would call a high class call girl today. As Veronica, the courtesan, the up and coming star Catherine McCormack gives a very credible performance. As he lover, who is forced to marry someone of his own station, Rufus Sewell is also very good. Something tells me the story is not that far fetched. Arranged marriages were common back then. Freewheeling sex has swung back and forth in favor for hundreds of years, at least. Not surprisingly, periods where love was not the basis for a good marriage tended to be ones where liaisons outside the marriage were the most common. verybody knew about them. It just wasn't something people talked about. Director Marshall Herskovitz, who gave us the TV series "Thirtysomething" and "My So Called Life", shows he is equally adapt on the big screen. In the same breath, considering the humorous - and slightly decadent - tone of those hit shows, you get an idea of why "Dangerous Beauty" did so poorly in theaters. In a time where sex on the screen tends to be treated with the utmost seriousness, this film is ribald and light hearted. Some of the most successful films of all times, such as "Tom Jones" and "The Graduate" treated sex the same way. Luckily for them, they were at the right place at the right time. For adults, I think "Dangerous Beauty" will prove to be highly entertaining. Great cinema it is not. But it has lavish sets, good acting and decent dialog It doesn't take either itself or its subject matter seriously. One especially interesting plot device concerns education. According to this film, married Italian ladies of the period were not even expected to know how to read. Courtesans, however, were encouraged to have knowledge, so that they would make interesting companions outside the boudoir. This setup helps to offset their true vocation. In fact, many of the titled wedded women seem quite envious of these rivals for their husbands attentions and affections.
Rating: 
Summary: Not very Dangerous
Review: Well, I really wish I could say this movie went anywhere beyond my expectations other than visually (and by visually I mean...WOW...the film is shot VERY beautifully...the colors are saturated and rich and the lighting is...at times...wonderfully complex). However, as a story, although the actual plot is fairly interesting, the actual STYLE, that is, the way it unfolds is far too contemporary to make it believable on anything but a fantasy level (which is unfortunate because there's little doubt in my mind that most of the events portrayed DID occur...but not that way). The casting (sorry, everybody in this film is far too attractive and clean), the dialogue, and sadly, even the afrorementioned beautiful lighting tend to undermine any feeling of "authenticity". The whole piece strikes one as being clearly aimed at a modern audiance (and really, at least in America, this is preeching to the already converted...it's too bad in our country eveything which feels good is immediately tied to spirituality--these bonds sometimes don't exist...not that I'm condeming Veronica Franco, but to be frank I work in public health and prostitution is pretty far removed from the courtesan of Italy portrayed in this film). At any rate, if you're looking for one of those period pieces that have been turned out so often more recently (complete with Italian and French being substituted for with english accents), this is a pretty good movie. But it's far from dangerous.
Rating:
Summary: A female Cyrano?
Review: Dangerous Beauty is a wonderfully romantic adventure! It has all the important things that make art worthwhile including a character with unflinching moral certainty. In this case the character is a beautiful woman who writes poetry, fights with a sword when necessary, refuses to sell her soul for love but unashamedly sells her body for the chance to be independant and educated.
I think anyone who enjoys witnessing great feats of intellectual and physical courage will enjoy this movie. I bought it because I knew I would be watching it many times over the years... you will too.
:o)
Rating:
Summary: The Tale of the Beautiful Courtesan
Review: There's a consistent moral thread that runs through every society from age to age and generation to generation, the tenets of which are established within parameters, and therefore subject to change; or more specifically, subject to a change in perspective. And that change can come very quickly-- veritably over night in some instances. There is also another constant that defines the human condition in any era, and as we find in "Dangerous Beauty," directed by Marshall Herskovitz, it is the fact that an individual will do whatever is necessary to survive. It is simply an undeniable, irrefutable basic instinct of the human animal. Moral tenets and survival, however, taken as properties are something akin to oil and water, and will mix accordingly. Being more often than not polar opposites, conflict is inherent and will ultimately surface at some point or other, the outcome of which is determined by the strength of whichever perspective is prevalent at the moment. And it is at such moments that we discover that life, like politics, can be a sordid, unpleasant affair; or at the other end of the spectrum, the greatest gift of all. It's 16th Century Venice; Marco Venier (Rufus Sewell) is of a wealthy and powerful family, and is a Senator in good standing in the community. He is also in love with Veronica Franco (Catherine McCormack), who though intelligent and beautiful, is beneath Marco's station in society, and they are, therefore, forbidden to marry. Instead, Marco's father, Pietro (Jeroen Krabbe), has arranged a marriage for his son, an alliance that will be to the substantial benefit of both families. Veronica's family, meanwhile, due to prevailing circumstances must look to Veronica for support, so her mother, Paola (Jacqueline Bisset), not only arranges for Veronica to become a courtesan, but instructs her herself in the fine art of seduction and the kind of pleasures that will put the most coins in the coffers, as well as how to survive by being in love with "love." For Veronica, it soon becomes a lucrative, if not fulfilling enterprise, but there are clouds forming on the horizon, the least of which involves an impending war with the Turks, a war they cannot win without the help of King Henry (Jake Weber) of France. Very quickly, life in Venice changes; Marco is off to war, and the formerly open acceptance of the courtesans undergoes a swift and drastic reversal of perspective among a seeming majority of those within the city. And once again Veronica's life is in flux; and she is about to find out that it will never be the same again. Nicely presented and beautifully filmed (the cinematography by Bojan Bazelli is exquisite), Herskovitz's film-- which is based on a true story and adapted from Margaret Rosenthal's novel by screenwriter Jeannine Dominy-- succinctly points up the moral hypocrisy that has always existed within any given culture or society, and which will continue to exist so long as there are social institutions and structures to support them. And the possible consequences of such diverse perspectives and attitudes, when zealously pursued, are effectively personified in the character of Maffio Venier (Oliver Platt), in whom we find the ultimate manifestation of moral decay, masked by platitudes of self-serving righteousness. Herskovitz also effectively uses the relationship between Veronica and Maffio-- initially a mutually agreeable rivalry; a contest of words which later turns aggressively ugly-- as a reflection of how readily one facet of society will turn on another if but afforded the appropriate circumstances. It's a film that works well on a number of levels, as on one hand it's a love story, while on the other it's an insightful dissertation on the inherent imperfections of society, and the fragile moral fiber that holds it together. In the title role, McCormack gives a solid performance; that Veronica is beautiful is obvious, but most importantly, McCormack conveys her intelligence, as well, and it makes her character three-dimensional and quite convincing. Interestingly enough, Veronica is a sympathetic character for whom, nevertheless, you do not necessarily feel sorry; and perhaps it's because she carries herself so well and has such a strong sense of "victory" about her, hiding any vulnerability that would make her susceptible to pity. This is a woman who takes the detritus life throws at her and makes something of it-- and she does it with dignity. If her life is morally compromised, it is not due to any acquiescence on her part, but rather the need and the will to survive. This is a complex character who has to tread a number of fine lines, and McCormack plays it beautifully and believably. As Marco, Sewell hits his stride and turns in an excellent performance, as well. Marco is something of a pivotal character, in that Veronica's response to him and their relationship becomes the most telling expression of the effects of the courtesan life on her. And as the story unfolds, Sewell does a nice job of developing his character, finally achieving a depth of emotion that significantly heightens the impact of the climax. In supporting roles, both Platt and Bisset give notable performances, too. Platt once again demonstrates that he is one of the best character actors in the business; and not only is Bisset exemplary in the role of Paola, but the casting of her and McCormack as mother/daughter was inspired. The supporting cast includes Moira Kelly (Beatrice), Naomi Watts (Guila), Fred Ward (Domenico), Joanna Cassidy (Laura), Peter Eyre (The Doge), Justine Miceli (Elena), Carla Cassola (Caterina), Michael Culkin (The Bishop) and Charlotte Randle (Francesca). As Michael Corleone said at one point, "We're all a part of the same hypocrisy;" and if there's a lesson to be learned from "Dangerous Beauty," it's that one should not deign to pass judgment on another without first walking in that person's shoes. It also reminds us of the necessity of maintaining a proper perspective-- and keeping in mind that what's acceptable today may not be acceptable tomorrow.
Rating:
Summary: Masterful
Review: I loved this film. It is richly draped in romance, intrigue, lust, and sensuality. It is a film for anyone who loves period costuming, strong yet vunerable heroines, and the kind of senusality that leaves you a little weak in the knees. It's rich, romanitc, and believable. A must have!
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