Dangerous Beauty

Imagine yourself in Venice in the 16th century, a time and place of decadence and power. Imagine yourself as a woman in that time and place, one without family connections to bring yourself power. Imagine what your career choices are. In essence: either scullery maid or courtesan. Now there's an old-fashioned word! Based on this film, I would say a courtesan's a cross between a geisha and a whore. Who would want this kind of life? Someone who wants power and prestige -- as in the real-life Veronica Franco, who rose to fame due to her beauty and grace, and most of all her ability to turn a phrase. She was a poetess and used that skill to capture and keep the men of Venice's attention. This film would be nothing more than a slice of history but for two things: the writing and Catherine McCormack. It's rare to find such a Hollywood screenplay, one in which conversation is juxtaposed with verse and remains entertaining. McCormack herself plays the title role with a dose of humor, which helps bring the real-life character to "real" life. The courtroom ending is a bit overwrought, as the men of Venice she bewitched take her side against the Inquisition. One hopes that part is true, because the original choice between scullery maid and courtesan can be firmly planted on the shoulders of the men of that town. If they wouldn't stick up for her, who would? Certainly not the wives of those men...

year: 1998
length: 111 min.
rating: 3.0
IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118892/combined