Lightdeossk Captivating movie !

Anoushka Slater While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Freeman This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

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.

SnoopyStyle 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.

S.R. Dipaling I'll confess(no pun to those who've already sen the movie)that my knowledge on the subject matter that this movie culls from,particularly the novel by MArgaret Rosenthal,is somewhat slight. I saw this movie first over ten years ago in the theater powered almost entirely on the fact that it starred Catherine McCormack, an actress whom I'd become mildly curious and fascinated (maybe even enamored) with from her short but affecting role as Mel Gibson's ill-fated wife in "Braveheart". I decided to buy a cheap copy of the film years later and just recently re-watched the film,not only to see her again but also give this movie's whole structure a chance to impress upon me again. Re-watching had me re-appraising this film.McCormack's Veronica Franco,a 16th Century learned Courtesan is a vision as a transformation from shy,lovestruck Venetian local to bright,gifted and dutiful servicer to men's desires. Her relationship with the dashing,noble soldier-senator Marco(Rufus Sewell),may lack in anything unique but makes up for in zesty,passionate interplay. The rise and fall of Veronica is almost exactly parallel to the fortunes of her native Venice,and when plague befalls the province,the ire and holy wrath of inquisition makes her an easy target. This film is lushly,lavishly filmed and,as such,is a veritable feast for the eyes. However(and perhaps I'm telling too much about my own film prejudices and cynicism but...)the conflict of love over expediency,the message of women's place in society and the largely dark shadow that the Roman Catholic church fells upon society seem so commonplace that it makes this film seem almost pedantic and preachy. Also,the friction between Franco and Maffio Venier(Oliver Platt,who is as professional and game as ever here),Marco's cousin and resident courtier,seems somewhat forced,while the conflict between Veronica and MArco's frigid and callow wife(NAomi Watts,nearly unrecognizable!)is left woefully underdeveloped and one-note. Ditto for the friendship between the title character and her warm but non-enterprising friend Beatrice(Moira Kelly).Overall,the story and product looks and feels great,it just feels like much of the detail and credibility is sacrificed to create a movie that wants to be both inspiring AND erotic,and just able to pull that off. Director Marshall Hershkowitz does a decent job capturing all the sights and sounds to give it the rich emotional as well as visual feel for the era. McCormack's presence(and to a lesser degree Sewell's,Pratt's and Fred Ward's as the Venier's Uncle who takes a great deal of liking to VEronica)elevates this from a mere pedestrian "bodice-ripper" to something that has emotion and sensuality. This film further re-enforces my enjoyment of her presence in movies and my wish to see Miss McCormack in more films.A good film that wanted to be great. HAving said all that,I still find this worthy of another look(or looks).

MRavenwood First it should be noted that the film Dangerous Beauty is based on true events and the life of a real person. Certainly liberties have been taken, but it is a rich and romantic tale of deeply loyal love.This is a beautiful period piece set in Venice 1600s, which was Republic on its own, not a part of Italy. This major shipping port was home to Marco Polo and a transport nexus of luxury goods such as silk and spices. The film manages to capture the wealthy excess of the city as well as exposing the gritty underclass. As fabulous as the costumes are and as exciting most of the actors, it has to be conceded that there is a tone of "girl teen empowerment movie" in more than one scene.The times dictated that women had to be worth something -to hold a dowry - in order to be married to a man of status or means. If you had no money, you were going to be a maid of some sort or marry whomever would have you. But it was acceptable, even a sign of status, at the time for men to take paid lovers. This occupation of refined prostitute was in a gray area of society, simultaneously approved of and unapproved. The film explores this gray area of power and social standing on the one hand and social scorn on the other. In one particular poignant comment, Veronica, the protagonist helps the audience wonder if the men are not the same as she, as they often marry for money and without love.The resolution is very Hollywood and a dramatic payoff worth seeing. My only caveat would be that this film makes being an educated and well-dressed prostitute seem admirable and like an acceptable career goal for young women. A dangerous message, especially when recent news touts hookers making five grand a night.