Rating: 
Summary: Dreadful
Review: If you want a lush, Renaissance romance, I suggest Zeffirelli's TAMING OF THE SHREW or ROMEO AND JULIET.If you think Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and would like to see it rendered on film, I suggest Visconti's DEATH IN VENICE or SENSO or David Lean's SUMMERTIME. If you want a serious look at the relationship between prostitution and women's rights, I suggest Jean-Luc Godard's VIVRE SA VIE or 2 OU 3 CHOSES QUE JE SAIS D'ELLE, or Chantal Akerman's JEANNE DIELMAN, 23 QUAI DU COMMERCE, 1080 BRUXELLES. If you are in the mood forsloppy camerawork, amateurish performances, complete lack of dramatic drive, political clap trap and one wasted opportunity after another, this is just the ticket. Execessive alcohol or heavy sedation highly recommended, preferably both. One star for the lighting, which at least is competent, the costumes, which are slightly better than that and for Jake Weber's brief performance as King Henry of France, the one note of distinction in an otherwise lamentable catalog of pretentious and probably expensive mush.
Rating: 
Summary: True love triumphs over the Inquisition
Review: Yes, and Santa Claus is coming to town. Veronica Franco (Catherine McCormack), a woman with a venerable family name but no cash, learns the oldest profession from her mother after experiencing the considerable shock of seeing a young woman in the nunnery (her first choice since she can't marry the man she loves) getting her golden locks shorn. No danger of that for Veronica, whose mane flows free even when she might dress down a little to hide from the hoi polloi, who are blaming her sinful ways for the plague that visits 16th Century Venice. Rufus Sewell plays nobleman Marco Venier who loves her but must marry someone else for the good of the family fortune. He plays the role like a caddy to McCormack, which is the way men appear in romance novels. McCormack herself gives only a workman-like performance that cannot lift this historical romance above the usual paperback issue. (We really needed Kate Winslet, but perhaps she read the script.) The rather routine indictment of the Inquisition and soft revelations of the hypocrisy of the Venetian nobility can't disguise the fact that this is a women's fantasy-fulfillment indulgence all the way and nothing more. The movie is also politically correct in the tiresome manner of the 1990's, when women must be shown as triumphing over men through the sheer power of their cleverness and superior moxie. Once again Hollywood celebrates the high class whore as being ahead of her time. We see her gain admiration and riches as she develops a worldly sophistication second perhaps only to that of the Pope. Yet there is some truth to this stale notion. To make it work though, we needed to see Veronica's seamy side, to experience the crudity of her lascivious and exploitive nature. Instead we have a fairy tale princess whore, Snow White turning tricks in gorgeous gowns sans syphilis, sans beatings, sans pimp. Jacqueline Bisset is competent as the mother who teaches her daughter how to exploit men. As a pep talk she tells Veronica that courtesans are the best educated women, and you are following in the footsteps of Cleopatra. I think the historical fact (if fact it is) that the only women who were allowed to read in 16th century Venice were courtesans, confused the designers of this tale into thinking that courtesans were the superior ladies of Venetian society. They were the only women allowed in the library because they were considered already corrupted. The whole movie suffers from this sort of "gee whiz this is so eye-opening for our times" treatment. The climactic scene before the Inquisition in particular is embarrassing in the melodramatic naiveté of its phony development. Hollywood is again attempting to re-write history in light of the current PC agenda. Alas, however, wasn't it always thus?
Rating: 
Summary: Underrated, understated, drama.
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent film. I rented it on a whim, but it proved to be an enjoyable evening's viewing. Catherine McCormack is excellent as the witty heroine, Veronica Franco, and Rufus Sewell does justice to an underwritten part as her lover, Marco. The one downfall of the film, is the lack of insight we get into the Marco's character. Apart from that, it is well worth seeing. The scenery, music and dialogue are excellent. Veronica Franco was clearly a fascinating woman!
Rating:
Summary: "Venice, proud and pretty..."
Review: Almost everything about this film is "proud and pretty". The tender, sweet minstrelsy of the score composed by George Fenton opens the movie to the bold and brilliant reds and crimsons of the costumes and drapery. Half romance, half women's studies, this film emphasizes the power and danger of a woman's beauty, refinement, and intellect. Catherine McCormack is wonderful as Veronica Franco, an irrepressible young woman who is fascinated by the courtesans she sees gliding by in gondolas and flaunting their beauty in 16th century Venice. At the edge of the canals, the men of Venice are at their mercy, pleading and promising and tossing roses. Little does Veronica know that such a life awaits her. Absorbed in her books and poetry, she can only be distracted by the charms of Marco Venier (curly haired, luminous-eyed Rufus Sewell). Nonetheless, their love is not enough to overcome his family duty to marry well and according to his station. By a somewhat surprising teacher (Jacqueline Bisset), Veronica is tutored in the principles of seduction in the most amusing sequence of the film. "You must know pleasure in order to give pleasure." She herself is seduced into the world of courtesans by their unlimited access to political and cultural information not suitable for "ladies of quality". Only as a courtesan can she have knowledge, artistic freedom...and Marco There are several lively scenes, especially with Marco's cousin, played by Oliver Platt. Veronica and he match wits and combine word play and sword play, as Veronica proves that she can participate in men's games and even occasionally best them. Although this film glorifies the prostitute, the difference is made painfully clear between the pitifully, ignorant "wives of Venice" and the enlightened courtesan in the dramatic scene in which Veronica answers a summons from her old friend (Moira Kelly). Is it better to be a virtuous yet sublimated wife or an enlightened yet exploited courtesan? The film argues for the latter, as women are humiliated in either role, as wife or courtesan. Is it not then better to take advantage of the basic freedoms of thought, speech and creative expression not encouraged for "ordinary" women? This deeper question lurks in the lavish background of ermine, peacock feathers and pearls, and is only partially resolved for one woman, Veronica Franco.
Rating: 
Summary: My Alltime Favorite Romance Movie
Review: This movie caught me by complete surprise. It's a beautiful love story of a woman who chose to live an honest if not society approved life as a courtesan in 16th century Venice. The liberties taken from the book 'The Honest Courtesan' by Margaret Rosenthal (Professor of Italian and French Literature) by the screen writer were not gratuitous but necessary for the love story it wanted to tell. All of the acting is superb, especially Catherine McCormack as the heroine Veronica Franco, a real poetess and courtesan who lived in Venice in the 16th century. The musical score, costumes and scenery, but especially the story all go to make this an unforgetable movie experience. Guys, don't be fooled, this isn't a 'chic flick'; but a movie for all guys and gals with an ounce of romanticism in their heart. This movie will move anyone. After renting the movie, I purchased a video of it in order to see it over and over again. I loved this movie so much I bought a DVD player so I could see the widescreen DVD version. (Unfortunately the VHS video version does not come in widescreen). Why this movie made it through the movie houses without much public recognition is beyond me. It might be due to the fact that there are no big name 'stars' in it. It's a shame that many movie goers only go to movies that have 'stars' in them. Unfortunately, they'll miss some great movies. This movie doesn't have big stars in it; instead it has great acting and a beautiful heart warming love story. The historical facts in the movie are true. Venice experienced a plague, war with Turkey, and an inquisition in that period of time. If you need to see violance and action in a movie for an adrenaline rush then skip this one. If you want to be emotionally moved, then watch this movie. Its an absolutely a must see enchanting movie. Check it out!
Rating:
Summary: Some surprising details...
Review: As an art historian who did a little bit of research on the time period for a masters thesis a few years back, I can say that this movie, while only loosely based on Veronica Franco's life, did have some surprisingly realistic details from the period and culture, though of course others were pure romantic fantasy. All in all, any academic snobbery aside, I loved it!
Rating:
Summary: A POWERFUL PICTURE
Review: It makes you laugh. It makes you cry. It makes you feel. It makes you think. It's hauntingly beautiful and hauntingly real. It takes the viewer on an emotional and cerebral journey that's 100% worth venturing on.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and Artsy
Review: This is one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. The acting is precise and the historical feel of the movie is exquisite -- I love the 16th century Venetian backdrop of the film. Catherine McCormack's portrayal of the dangerous beauty is precise; she is -- without a doubt -- an underrated actress. Rufus Sewell is also great. It saddens me to know that this film was not well-received in theatres. Perhaps this is not a contemporary film, but it is a beautiful and sexy love story that should have received more praise and appreciation. If you love artsy films, rent Dangerous Beauty. Believe me, you won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: fascinating story
Review: Dangerous Beauty is a beautifully shot, well-acted, interesting and entertaining movie. The only problem I found is that in going for more mainstream appeal than the usual period films, it sometimes gets a little silly and contrived. However, this is a minor caveat and really doesn't hurt anything. The movie, based on the true story of Venetian courtesan Veronica Franco is sumptuous and lushly presented. Veronica had an amazing life, and her story is perfect movie material. Catherine McCormack is lovely as Veronica, and Rufus Sewell is dashing and excellent as her love, Marco. Certainly worth seeing, especially if you don't often go for period films--this one is definitely more fun than most of them.
Rating:
Summary: More Than Just Dangerous
Review: Beautiful, passionate, seductive, witty, independant, stalwart and free are all adjectives that could be used after the title Dangerous to describe this film. My wife and I saw this film on a whim one evening. We had seen the trailor on another video and stumbled across it at the video store and then had to have the bright, vibrant colors of this peice on DVD. We don't agree with the profession of the heroin Veronica, but you can't mistake the strength and courage or this woman. He ability to make the most of her state and station in life, is a wonderful statement about feminine independance and ingenuity. The film takes place many hundreds of years ago, but the idea of the acceptable woman and their place in society is so relevant today. A nobel spirit cannot be oppressed! Sad it is that she had to make this statement as a prostitute (Yes I am making a value judgement about the profession). Direction and acting in this film were acceptable across the borad. Oliver Platt seemed a little out of place, but that could be due to his over-exposure in modern American foo foo films. We are given many feelings and emotions throughout the film: sex, violence, domestic violence, unrequited love, betrayal, injustice, feminism, alternative lifestyles and the works. This film is not for the prudish or inhibited as the director holds nothing back in terms of display and inuendo. From the beauty of women to opression from the mother church each is independantly delt with to create a almost 100% satisfying film.
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