Marshall Herskovitz's film, which tells the true story of a courtesan in 16th-century Venice, Italy, was originally titled "Courtesan", which at least gave you an idea of what the story was about and provided a nicely suggestive air of exoticism.
The bland title in place sounds more appropriate for a television movie starring Tori Spelling and will no doubt have a detrimental effect at the boxoffice, for which "Dangerous Beauty"'s prospects were already limited.
Catherine McCormack ("Braveheart") stars in what would have been the title role as Veronica Franco, a young woman who becomes a courtesan after being rejected by her true love, Marco (Rufus Sewell), who cannot marry her because of her low station in Venetian society.
The beautiful, brainy Veronica seems a bit overqualified for a courtesan position, as her mother, Paola (Jacqueline Bisset), suggests. But Veronica takes to it surprisingly well and soon becomes the toast of the town, at least among the high-powered Venetian men with whom she becomes intimate.
For a while, things go swimmingly, with even Marco -- his eyes newly opened -- pursuing her. Unfortunately, when the plague strikes Venice, it brings on the forces of the church and the Inquisition, and Veronica finds herself branded a witch and on trial for her life.
This costume drama boasts an excellent cast, a beautiful evocation of 16th-century Venice (it was actually filmed in several other Italian cities, as well as the Cinecitta Studio), gorgeous cinematography and a frequently witty script.
But the elements somehow fail to jell; the film veers perilously close to camp, and while the story is supposed to be true, it sometimes plays like a Monty Python sketch, particularly when Veronica single-handedly saves Venice by sleeping with the king of France.
The final scene, in which the heroine's many clients come to her rescue by standing to affirm their connection with her, is like a bad parody of "Spartacus". And a swashbuckling duel of swords and poetry between Veronica and a loutish enemy (Oliver Platt) plays like an outtake from one of Richard Lester's "Three Musketeers" movies.
Still, Jeannine Dominy's screenplay, based on a real courtesan's biography, displays many welcome flashes of humor. Particularly amusing are the scenes in which Veronica is indoctrinated in her new career by her mother, who starts with grooming tips and eventually proceeds to providing robust male training partners. Veronica proves a willing pupil, as is later shown during her explicit skills demonstration to the wives of Venice using a banana as a helpful prop.
The film will certainly be marketed on the basis of sex, but it is neither particularly explicit nor sensual, though the beautiful McCormack is certainly easy on the eyes and is quite credible as a woman who can bring Venice to its knees.
Sewell cuts a dashing figure as Marco, and Bissett brings a sly wit to her portrayal of the mercenary mother. Showing up in small roles, but providing little impact, are well-known performers such as Fred Ward, Jeroen Krabbe, Joanna Cassidy and Moira Kelly.
DANGEROUS BEAUTY
Warner Bros.
An Arnon Milchan/Bedford Falls production
Director-producer: Marshall Herskovitz
Producers: Arnon Milchan, Edward Zwick, Sarah Caplan
Executive producers: Michael Nathanson, Stephen Randall Screenplay: Jeannine Dominy
Director of photography: Bojan Bazelli
Editor: Arthur Corburn
Color/stereo
Cast:
Veronica Franco: Catherine McCormack
Marco Venier: Rufus Sewell
Paola Franco: Jacqueline Bisset
Maffio: Oliver Platt
Beatrice: Moira Kelly
Laura Venier: Joanna Cassidy
Domenico Venier: Fred Ward
Pietro Venier: Jeroen Krabbe
Running time -- 114 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
The bland title in place sounds more appropriate for a television movie starring Tori Spelling and will no doubt have a detrimental effect at the boxoffice, for which "Dangerous Beauty"'s prospects were already limited.
Catherine McCormack ("Braveheart") stars in what would have been the title role as Veronica Franco, a young woman who becomes a courtesan after being rejected by her true love, Marco (Rufus Sewell), who cannot marry her because of her low station in Venetian society.
The beautiful, brainy Veronica seems a bit overqualified for a courtesan position, as her mother, Paola (Jacqueline Bisset), suggests. But Veronica takes to it surprisingly well and soon becomes the toast of the town, at least among the high-powered Venetian men with whom she becomes intimate.
For a while, things go swimmingly, with even Marco -- his eyes newly opened -- pursuing her. Unfortunately, when the plague strikes Venice, it brings on the forces of the church and the Inquisition, and Veronica finds herself branded a witch and on trial for her life.
This costume drama boasts an excellent cast, a beautiful evocation of 16th-century Venice (it was actually filmed in several other Italian cities, as well as the Cinecitta Studio), gorgeous cinematography and a frequently witty script.
But the elements somehow fail to jell; the film veers perilously close to camp, and while the story is supposed to be true, it sometimes plays like a Monty Python sketch, particularly when Veronica single-handedly saves Venice by sleeping with the king of France.
The final scene, in which the heroine's many clients come to her rescue by standing to affirm their connection with her, is like a bad parody of "Spartacus". And a swashbuckling duel of swords and poetry between Veronica and a loutish enemy (Oliver Platt) plays like an outtake from one of Richard Lester's "Three Musketeers" movies.
Still, Jeannine Dominy's screenplay, based on a real courtesan's biography, displays many welcome flashes of humor. Particularly amusing are the scenes in which Veronica is indoctrinated in her new career by her mother, who starts with grooming tips and eventually proceeds to providing robust male training partners. Veronica proves a willing pupil, as is later shown during her explicit skills demonstration to the wives of Venice using a banana as a helpful prop.
The film will certainly be marketed on the basis of sex, but it is neither particularly explicit nor sensual, though the beautiful McCormack is certainly easy on the eyes and is quite credible as a woman who can bring Venice to its knees.
Sewell cuts a dashing figure as Marco, and Bissett brings a sly wit to her portrayal of the mercenary mother. Showing up in small roles, but providing little impact, are well-known performers such as Fred Ward, Jeroen Krabbe, Joanna Cassidy and Moira Kelly.
DANGEROUS BEAUTY
Warner Bros.
An Arnon Milchan/Bedford Falls production
Director-producer: Marshall Herskovitz
Producers: Arnon Milchan, Edward Zwick, Sarah Caplan
Executive producers: Michael Nathanson, Stephen Randall Screenplay: Jeannine Dominy
Director of photography: Bojan Bazelli
Editor: Arthur Corburn
Color/stereo
Cast:
Veronica Franco: Catherine McCormack
Marco Venier: Rufus Sewell
Paola Franco: Jacqueline Bisset
Maffio: Oliver Platt
Beatrice: Moira Kelly
Laura Venier: Joanna Cassidy
Domenico Venier: Fred Ward
Pietro Venier: Jeroen Krabbe
Running time -- 114 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 1/29/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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