What's it about?
Set in 16th century Venice, Dangerous Beauty tells the story of Veronica Franco - a beautiful young woman forced by her mother to become a courtesan after her beloved marries another, a lady of wealth and better station.
Why watch it?
Beautiful scenery, costumes and medieval Venice, witty poetry battle; exploration of sexuality, femininity and feminism in 16th century Italy.
Stars
Ratings
70% on Rotten Tomatoes
7,3 on IMDb
Critics Reception
Certainly not boring, it is so bold (if misguided) in execution that one cannot help but go along for the romp.
Vanity
The majority of criticism falls on the lead actors (Catherine McCormack and Rufus Sewell), although generally audiences seem to give the film a high rating. The film was out in 1998, when female-led pieces, especially openly positioning the viewer with a prostitute, would not be taken as seriously as they are now in 2018.
Historical background
The film is based on Margaret Rosenthal's book The Honest Courtesan: Veronica Franco, Citizen and Writer in Sixteenth-Century Venice about Veronica Franco's life.
Reviews
Dangerous Beauty, Vanity
Chic Swooning Among the Gondolas, The New York Times
Dangerous Beauty, TimeOut
Dangerous Beauty, Roger Ebert
Dangerous Beauty, Film Journal International