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Although it was unfortunately ignored during its brief theatrical release, this sumptuously seductive production is that rarest of cinematic breeds, the (barely) respectable guilty pleasure. Combining historical fact with hysterical anachronisms of language and mannerism, it's been tailored for maximum contemporary appeal but maintains a lush, romantic feel for its factual 16th-century tale of Venetian love, lust, and political repression. Catherine McCormack (Mel Gibson's ill-fated bride in Braveheart) delivers a star-making performance as the "dangerous beauty" who becomes a skillful courtesan to pursue her forbidden love for a dashing Venetian senator (Rufus Sewell). It's all rather silly in a high-toned fashion, and the film turns dour when the church intervenes with a Scarlet Letter-like papal inquest. But the movie's joyously ribald vitality is utterly irresistible, and the casting of McCormack with Jaqueline Bisset (as her mother and courtesan mentor) is a stroke of pure genius. Merchant-Ivory would've made a smarter film from this material, but it probably wouldn't be nearly as entertaining. --Jeff Shannon
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I really don't know why this film has three titles! What I can tell you is that it is a beautifully produced picture of life in 16th Century Venice. If you love Venice you can't miss this! Especially if you love the "Carnivale" there because this is such a visual treat with masses of gorgeous frocks! On a more serious note it is also the almost true life story of the amazing Veronica Franco, a woman of talent, education and spirit who was a poetess and powerful courtesan. Her profession was not of her choice but rather expected of her because of her class and the joy of the story is that her constant love for one man was not impinged upon at all by the nature it, nor his for her.
The opening credits give a sunny, colourful picture of Venice of the time but I felt that the drama itself took a little time to warm up and for the characters to settle into their parts convincingly. Once it gets off the ground though it is memorable, with many fine cameo parts by a galaxy of good actors. The courtroom scene was full of suspense and made a riveting climax. Although Veronica is given the philosophy of a modern feminist to expound in this scene, one wonders if the real truth is that she inspired love in the hearts of so many of her admirers that she would have survived if she had said nothing at all!
I have been waiting for this on DVD for ages - but all those titles made it difficult to find! Must rush off and book a visit to Venice.....
The opening credits give a sunny, colourful picture of Venice of the time but I felt that the drama itself took a little time to warm up and for the characters to settle into their parts convincingly. Once it gets off the ground though it is memorable, with many fine cameo parts by a galaxy of good actors. The courtroom scene was full of suspense and made a riveting climax. Although Veronica is given the philosophy of a modern feminist to expound in this scene, one wonders if the real truth is that she inspired love in the hearts of so many of her admirers that she would have survived if she had said nothing at all!
I have been waiting for this on DVD for ages - but all those titles made it difficult to find! Must rush off and book a visit to Venice.....
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This is a fantastic, passionate romp of a film. A great, sweeping swashbuckler of a romance - with a twist: the swashbuckler in question is a woman. A film for true romantics and lovers of good old fashioned adventure stories.
The central lead played by Catherine McCormack, is an extremely intelligent, brave beautiful young woman in renaissance Venice. Coerced into the role of Courtesan she plays the part with honour and independence of mind.
One of my top three films of last year (along with American Beauty and Saving Grace, for anyone who wants to know). Its just so DIFFERENT from the mindless violence type of adventure offered up by Hollywood. It has a real feel of fantastic early cinema - Imagine an Errol Flyn film blended with a great Katherine Hepburn movie and you'll have a pretty good idea of what you're in for.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This film claims it is a true story at the start, but it's a very dubious version of the real Veronica Franco's story. Despite that, however, it is a glorious romp of a movie, at least for the first two thirds. Filmed in a sort of golden 'Renaissance' light like Italian paintings come to life, it wallows in its own glorious decadence. The beautiful Veronica, unable to marry her love since her family can't afford a dowry, instead becomes a courtesan, trained by her mother, and rises in Venetian society. Full of seductive garden parties, Venetian salons, poetry competitions and the allure of sex, this part of the film works wonderfully.
The problem comes when the film attempts to deconstruct the glamorous side of being a courtesan, which is, after all, just a prostitute dressed up in beautiful clothes and accomplishments. Veronica's struggle, and her trial under the Venetian inquisition, takes the film into a darker arena that sits very uncomfortably with the first half. It's not well-written enough to really engage with this, and the Hollywood treatement of her release spoiled everything that had gone earlier.
The real Veronica Franco was far, far more fascinating than this film makes out, and didn't, of course, have the same kind of Hollywoood romantic gloss to her life. Rosenthal's The Honest Courtesan: Veronica Franco, Citizen and Writer in Sixteenth-century Venice (Women in Culture & Society), the first full-length study of Franco in English, was cited as the base of this film. It's a proper academic study of her life and writings in their social, economic and historical context, and while it may be hard going for a non-academic reader, it still reveals a more complex mind and society than this film even tries to.
So overall I loved this film for its pure indulgence and beauty but felt uncomfortable when it tried to deal with anything darker or more realistic. Sadly there's a really good reason why this failed at the box-office despite the always-wonderful Rufus Sewell.
ps. Veronica Franco's poems and letters are available at a reasonable price on Amazon Poems and Selected Letters (Other Voice in Early Modern Europe) if you're interested in exploring the reality behind the fiction.
The problem comes when the film attempts to deconstruct the glamorous side of being a courtesan, which is, after all, just a prostitute dressed up in beautiful clothes and accomplishments. Veronica's struggle, and her trial under the Venetian inquisition, takes the film into a darker arena that sits very uncomfortably with the first half. It's not well-written enough to really engage with this, and the Hollywood treatement of her release spoiled everything that had gone earlier.
The real Veronica Franco was far, far more fascinating than this film makes out, and didn't, of course, have the same kind of Hollywoood romantic gloss to her life. Rosenthal's The Honest Courtesan: Veronica Franco, Citizen and Writer in Sixteenth-century Venice (Women in Culture & Society), the first full-length study of Franco in English, was cited as the base of this film. It's a proper academic study of her life and writings in their social, economic and historical context, and while it may be hard going for a non-academic reader, it still reveals a more complex mind and society than this film even tries to.
So overall I loved this film for its pure indulgence and beauty but felt uncomfortable when it tried to deal with anything darker or more realistic. Sadly there's a really good reason why this failed at the box-office despite the always-wonderful Rufus Sewell.
ps. Veronica Franco's poems and letters are available at a reasonable price on Amazon Poems and Selected Letters (Other Voice in Early Modern Europe) if you're interested in exploring the reality behind the fiction.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
language
I bought this dvd to learn about poetry, learn the power of the language that I am not mastering- as yet. Excellent subject.
Published 2 months ago by Antal Sandor
Doesn't Ring True
Judging by the plethora of five star reviews this DVD has recieved nobody is going to like me for giving it just one star; but
I do have my reasons. Read more
I do have my reasons. Read more
Published 2 months ago by H. A. Weedon
Best Period Drama so Far !
This has to be the best period drama i have seen in a long time.Sumptious is the word that comes to mind , even if you don't see another this year then watch this. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Flix
Exquisite!
I simply love period dramas and this is one of the most beautiful dvd's I have ever seen. I first saw this film under the name: A destiny of her own, and I liked it so much that... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jeanine
To Do With Beauty
Catherine McCormick is a superb actress as you will find out if you watch this movie.
Rufus sewell must have been the flavour of the month when this was cast, as I think they... Read more
Rufus sewell must have been the flavour of the month when this was cast, as I think they... Read more
Published 17 months ago by cullodenmist
Beautiful, passionate and inspiring
It is a feast for the eyes; the sets and costumes are sumptuous and alive. The casting is excellent, and the acting good (although a few dodgy accents let it down a little). Read more
Published 21 months ago by K. NOEL
Dangerous Beauty
I rented this movie years ago. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with the plot. Later I would find out more about Veronica Franco and her lovely poetry. Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2009 by K. Davis-Hansson
Dangerous Beauty
This is an accurate account of the life of a courtesan. It is well acted and I recommend it to anyone
Published on 21 April 2009 by Mr. Alexander Brash
Dangerous Beauty
this was a very well acted and beautifully filmed movie..
also the settings and designs were fabulous ..
first class...
also the settings and designs were fabulous ..
first class...
Published on 4 April 2009 by Marionbrodie
Dangerously Entertaining
I have been searching for this film for some time now. When I owned it on VHS it had the title 'The Honest Courtesane' and I couldn't track it down on DVD then flicking through... Read more
Published on 25 Nov 2008 by Mrs. L. A. Smith
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