Dangerous Beauty (1998)

OK, let's face it, the reason I saw this was because of potential chemistry between Catherine McCormack and Rufus Sewell. I love both of them as actors, and I was psyched when I heard they were in a movie together.

Then I looked at the plot, and was intrigued. I'd seen a movie similar to this, Moulin Rouge. Hmm, would it be as good as that? Would it be a let down? Looking at the title and the cover, I wasn't expecting too much. Soft porn, maybe? Eh, probably. But I rented it anyways, simply because I was in the mood for a period piece, and Rufus Sewell is easy on the eyes. :)

The movie ended up becoming one of my absolute favorites. It is sumptuously filmed, gorgeous, like staring at a beautiful painting for hours. Every piece of colors and cinematography is top notch. The acting between Sewell and McCormack is amazing, astounding. I fell in love with their romance. The film hasn't left me long after I saw it. The score is brilliant. George Fenton is an emotional genius. If you want to hear more of his stuff just check out Ever After, starring Dougray Scott and Drew Barrymore. :)

I really want to buy this movie. It works so well, and it is just really, really good. It's a movie to be felt, not explained. If you love intriguing plot lines, romance, and period pieces, then I highly recommend you check this out. :)

Fmovies: I LOVED this movie. It is especially gripping when you stop to realize it is based on a true story! It's lead character is based on Veronica Franco, citizen and writer from sixteenth century Venice. Margaret F Rosenthal wrote about her in "The Honest Courtesan".

The acting is superb...the period costuming is fantastic. As is the scenery. This is a must see on many levels.

The courtesans in this era were intelligent, witty, and refined. Married woman of the time (the wealthy ones) were confined to a very dull life while their husbands entertained themselves with well educated courtesans. The courtesans were the only women allowed in the libraries of the day. As much as I love books...there is no doubt in my mind as to what role I would have chose! lol The movie revolves around those of wealth. The poor women of the day are in terrible straits...I'm glad this era is over.

Seriously, this is a wonderful movie visually. And, it is spiced with some interesting bits of history.

It is not one to take your kids to which usually causes me to deduct points. But, the scenes that make it unsuitable for children are absolutely essential for this story. And, what a wonderful story! Oh, and another delight is the music. Buy the CD!

"Dangerous Beauty" brought me back to Life!It inspired me emotionally and physically.(I lost over 30lbs.walking/listening to the film's score everyday.)The film has excellent production values: wonderful sets & exquisite costumes; fabulous golden Rembrandt lighting; dreamy soft focus cinematography; gorgeous actors,(Rufus Sewell, with a voice that makes you melt & eyes that speak volumes even when he is silent,in the role of Marco, shows great acting range,from carefree playboy to mature man in love.Catherine McCormick portrays Veronica as a jilted lover who becomes an assertive courtesan, yet never loses her soft side.She has the face of supermodel Paulina Herzigova/Audrey Hepburn.)These actors share the most convincing chemistry as lovers that I've seen in years. And the piece de resistance of Dangerous Beauty is the most passionate music in the world by George Fenton(this should win him his long-awaited Oscar.)The movie blends comedy, romance, swordfights, poetry, sex, the plague/Inquisition, and self-sacrifice.It makes you long for such "a soulmate love" as this. (That's why I saw "D.B." 33 times in the theater! Yes,I did! It was MY "Titanic / Gone with the Wind / Casablanca".) The director, Marshall Herskovitz,(of Legends Of the Fall) created a world that I loved to visit.The movie reminded me that I was still a "Dangerous Beauty" myself. If you want your sweetheart to get "in the mood",then watch D.B. together and listen to the filmscore afterwards as the soundtrack for your own grande amour.Never before has a movie impacted my life like this one did. May it do the same for you.

Dangerous Beauty fmovies. In 1583, Venice is the richest and most decadent city in Europe and its women are treated like property and few even knew how to read. The youth and witty Veronica Franco (Catherine McCormack) and the wealthy Marco Venier (Rufus Sewell), who is the brother of her best friend Beatrice (Moira Kelly), are in love for each other, but her mother can not afford the dowry for their marriage. When Marco tells Veronica that they can not marry to each other because he should have a marriage of state and his parents would oppose due to their social differences, Veronica's mother Paola Franco (Jacqueline Bisset) tells her heartbroken daughter that she was a courtesan in the past, and now Veronica shall learn how to be a courtesan to support the family. The poetess Veronica becomes the most famous courtesan in Venice, loved by the powerful elite except Marcos. When the Turks threaten Cyprus, Veronica spends the night with King Henry (Jake Weber) and he gives the necessary ships to protect Cyprus. When the Inquisition comes to Venice, she is accused of witchcraft by the Church.

"Dangerous Beauty" is one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever seen, and based on a true story. Catherine McCormack is extremely gorgeous and this is probably her best role along her career, with a stunning performance. This movie is quite perfect, with a wonderful story, excellent screenplay, magnificent direction, witty dialogs, a fantastic cast and awesome cinematography, set decoration and costumes in the environment of Venice in the Sixteenth Century. It is impressive how this movie excited me with the most different emotions and I have just included it in my list of favorites. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Em Luta Pelo Amor" ("In Fight for Love")

I saw this when it first came out and I just saw it again on video. Superb movie. I adore Venice and feel I got a real taste of what it must have been like in the 16th century. Great photography and costumes. Beautiful actors. Comedy. Romance. Based on a true story. Shows some of the ugliness of the zealot church of the time. A must see and one of the year's best. Where were the critics on this one? Played to empty theaters mostly. What a shame.

Four of us (aged 40 - 50) saw this on video and thoroughly enjoyed it. The speeches at the end provide us with the finest acting and script that is available.

The film is a bit slow in the beginning, but don't give up because this is one incredible piece of dramatic art.