Dangerous Beauty

1998

Dangerous Beauty

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

68%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 28

86%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 9,246
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Movie Info

Marshall Herskovitz directed this look at life in 16th-century Venice, based on Margaret Rosenthal's 1994 book The Honest Courtesan. Positioned outside of the Venetian court, Veronica Franco (Catherine McCormack) hopes to rise above her station, but her interest in nobleman's son Marco Venier (Rufus Sewell) is blocked since his parents forbid their marriage. Following the path taken by her mother, Paola (Jacqueline Bisset), Veronica becomes a courtesan, finding this gives her a niche in the male-dominated society. When Vatican emissaries accuse her of witchcraft, she lashes back, using the trial as a feminist forum to expose the hypocrisies of the period. Filmed in 1996 in Venice and Rome with a variety of working titles (Courtesan, Venice, and The Honest Courtesan). ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
  • Rating:
    R (adult situations/language, nudity, sex)
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Directed By:
    Marshall Herskovitz
  • Written By:
    Jeannine Dominy
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Warner Home Video

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Cast

Catherine McCormack
as Veronica Franco
Rufus Sewell
as Marco Venier
Jacqueline Bisset
as Paola Franco
Oliver Platt
as Maffio Venier
Moira Kelly
as Beatrice Venier
Fred Ward
as Domenico Venier
Naomi Watts
as Guila De Lezze
Jeroen Krabbé
as Pietro Venier
Joanna Cassidy
as Laura Venier
Daniel Lapaine
as Serafino Franco
Jake Weber
as King Henry
Simon Dutton
as Minister Ramberti
Peter Eyre
as Doge
Michael Culkin
as Bishop De la Torre
Melina Kanakaredes
as Livia
Justine Miceli
as Elena Franco
Russell Grant
as Francesco Martenengo
Carla Cassola
as Caterina
Gianny Musy
as Joseph
Ralph Riach
as Lorenzo Gritti
Charlotte Randle
as Francesca
Alberto Rossatti
as Andrea Tron
Anna Sozzani
as Marina
Luis Moltena
as Giacomo Baballi
Tim McMullan
as Zealot
Richard O'Callaghan
as Zealot
Lenore Lohman
as Venetian Wife
Maud Bonanni
as Venetian Wife
Gaia Zoppi
as Venetian Wife
Robert Corbiletto
as Tailor
Annelie Harryson
as Fanatic Woman
David Gant
as Bolognetti
Daniele Ciampi
as Naked Workman
Elena Mita
as Elena's Child
Federico Mita
as Elena's Child
Francesca Lucidi
as Courtesan
Simona Nobili
as Courtesan
Lena Guthorsen
as Courtesan
Valentina Ardeatini
as Courtesan
Tiziana Della Spina
as Courtesan
Anna Maria Minati
as Courtesan
Ilaria De Vincenzis
as Courtesan
Cristina Rinaldi
as Courtesan
Garmy Sall
as Courtesan
Anna Maria Malipiero
as Courtesan
Flaminia Fegarotti
as Courtesan
Federica Federici
as Courtesan
Angela Camuso
as Courtesan
Patrizia Leonet
as Courtesan
Elide Marigliani
as Courtesan
Natascia Pastorello
as Courtesan
Barbara Di Dio
as Courtesan
Fulvia Lorenzetti
as Courtesan
Olfa Ben Romdane
as Courtesan
Laura Tedesco
as Courtesan
Emy Kay
as Courtesan
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Critic Reviews for Dangerous Beauty

All Critics (28) | Top Critics (8)

View All Critic Reviews (28)

Audience Reviews for Dangerous Beauty

  • Jan 10, 2013
    It's so morally WRONG... and yet strangely I found myself cheering for the courtesan... a sexually promiscuous girl who was refused the offer of marriage by the one she loved so she went into prostitution to spite her lover. Honestly, I don't know why I watched the whole thing. It had an interesting ending and I was surprised that it was based on truth.
    Dannielle A Super Reviewer
  • Oct 08, 2011
    A period drama with no real feeling.
    Sunil J Super Reviewer
  • Aug 03, 2010
    I'd like to forewarn you at the very outset that my rating is biased. Besides, there might be an indirect SPOILER, though I've tried my best not to convey it or give anything away. But I'm not sure whether I've succeeded in it or not. Now here's a movie which has nothing new to offer. A mediocre for most of the part. Almost just another historical love story. If it weren't for the occasional interesting sequences in the middle of this love story, I don't know if I'd have made it till the end. Well, not at least in one sitting. So, you may be wondering why the heck four stars for such a movie? Well, I'd like to admit that my rating is based genuinely on the effect the ending of the movie had on me. I was expecting just the usual ending that one is supposed to expect from this kind of movies (okay, I didn't know the factual story on which this movie was based), but I was blown away by what it was. I can't remember having watched this kind of ending for a movie of this type. For a movie that proceeds in a mediocre way, this surely was a great achievement. And I'm glad that I made it till the very end. The confession speech could have been penned more fiery, though. While it was poetic, it wasn't fiery enough. (Strange coincidence that the last movie I watched was great all the way, but for its conventional ending. And here, it's the ending that made this movie so great for me!!!) The performances weren't quite up to the mark here, except for Oliver Platt (playing the role of Maffio Venier). Both the protagonists, Catherine McCormack & Rufus Sewell, were quite unimpressive. Naomi Watts seemed to be sleepwalking in her short role. Oliver Platt was incredibly great & made a mark in each frame he appeared. Despite of having liked the ending so much, I won't recommend it to anyone on the strength of its ending alone. Because let's face it, after all, it was nothing in the veins of 'The Sixth Sense' or 'The Others' that most of the people would appreciate. While I found the ending quite genuine, it might as well be just another ending for others.
    familiar s Super Reviewer
  • Feb 04, 2010
    Very interesting "true story". Rufus Sewell is fast becoming one of my newest favorites. He's yummy!
    Barbara A Super Reviewer
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