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Dangerous Beauty

1998, Movie, R, 114 mins

Dangerous Beauty: Review

DANGEROUS BEAUTY
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A racy bodice-ripper in the grand tradition of FOREVER AMBER, tarted up -- if you'll excuse the expression -- with a bit of feminist perspective. The location is Venice and the year 1583, generally a bad time and place to be a woman. Girls are expected to dress modestly and behave submissively, marry men selected by their families for reasons having more to do with finance than romance, and avoid the twin temptations of sensuality and education -- most can't even read. Veronica Franco (Catherine McCormack) is beautiful, intelligent, sexy, headstrong and poor, all considerable liabilities in this scheme of things. Unable to marry the man she loves, wealthy and well-born Marco Venier (Rufus Sewell), she follows in the footsteps of her mother Paola (Jacqueline Bisset) and becomes a courtesan. Ironically, as a high-class prostitute Veronica can develop her mind as she peddles her flesh, and her wit and boldness make her a favorite of Venice's elite. But trouble's brewing: The Turks have declared war, plague has struck, religious zealots are blaming the courtesans for everything and the Spanish Inquisition is on the way. Based on the exploits of real-life poet, prostitute and social reformer Veronica Franco (1546-91), this handsome picture doubtless takes liberties with history in the name of lavish entertainment. But since the results are very entertaining indeed, that can hardly be considered a liability. Even the promiscuous mix of accents among the cast -- in what universe are Fred Ward, Jeroen Krabbe and Rufus Sewell members of the same Italian family? -- can't spoil the fun of rude food, ermine massage mitts, pervy royalty, lewd clergymen and naughty versifying. leave a comment --Maitland McDonagh
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