Strong and Moving!

Excellent adaptation.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

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.

It's later-half sixteen century Venice. Most women are illiterate and treated as property. There are limited opportunities for lower status women except for the courtesans who are the stars of society. Senator's son Marco Venier (Rufus Sewell) returns to the city and falls for childhood friend Veronica Franco (Catherine McCormack). She is young and innocent. They become lovers but Marco has to get into a political marriage. Veronica is heart-broken and wants to enter a convent. Her mother (Jacqueline Bisset) reveals that she was a former courtesan and offers to train her. Veronica becomes highly sought after in high society including Marco but also enemies like Marco's cousin Maffio Venier (Oliver Platt). There is war against the Ottoman, political intrigue with France, and the darkness of the Inquisition.This is a compelling story of sex and power from the woman's point of view. It's romantic and a feminist journey. Catherine McCormack is a little old to play the ingenue but she fits the bill with beauty and determination. Jacqueline Bisset is perfect for her role. The intrigue and romance all work painting a compelling picture of a historical moment and place.

Like most people, I too have top 5,10,20 movie lists and in all cases, the movies which made my lists I had the pleasure of seeing when they originally debuted. This cannot be said for Dangerous Beauty which I only discovered 13 years later. I watched it after seeing Braveheart again and being captivated by the character played by Catherine McCormack. In fact I seeked out other titles that included her presence and I am so happy I did.Dangerous Beauty is a wonderful love story that is told with such incredible passion. I know the film is taken from true characters and much of the story is as well from history. I doubt however that the true accounts could come close to the romantic story that is unveiled here. Catherine McCormack and Rufus Sewell were magic together and no matter the subject matter or the kind of life that Veronica Franco was dealt, their love remained true and intense throughout the film.Even now, several days after seeing it, I continue being haunted by the two soulmates and especially cannot forget the last 15 minutes when both characters profess their love to each other and the world while on trial.Anyone who is a romantic at heart would love this movie. Like me, it will bring tears to your eyes and make you smile for days later.

It is hard to find a movie that actually captures the soul of a time period. Often movies simply import a modern story into a different time period. In this case the story does reflect the complex morals and social situation of the historical time and place.I think it is a great movie to show in a History of the Renaissance class. It shows how the ideals of the Renaissance were taken further in Venice than any other city. It manages to get us back into the time period better than any other movie I have ever seen.The acting, sets, lighting, make-up and costumes are superb and the story enchanting. The director and producers deserved academy award nominations. This ist rue movie-making magic, where you are transported to another time and place. I would recommend for anybody above the age of 13.