I saw this movie in the theater on a girl's night and I now own it on DVD. I think this movie suffers from a rather silly title and could have made Catherine McCormack a star if it had been more widely seen. Ms. McCormack seems to be molded from the same line of icy blond beauties that produced Gwyneth Paltrow and Cate Blanchett. I think Ms. McCormack has the edge in looks, acting ability, and on screen passion. It doesn't seem fair that the former are mega stars and no one seems to know Catherine McCormack. Se was also excellent in A Sound of Thunder - another of my favorite movies.The movie itself features a number of my favorite actors and it is beautifully filmed. The Italian Renaissance costumes are exquisite, particularly the apricot/peach dress she wears on her first night as a courtesan. I want that dress and I want that life! The relationship with Marco is okay, nothing that hasn't been done a thousand times. It's the scenes of her mother teaching her to be a courtesan, the scenes of her learning her way among men, the poetry battles, her charming nervous fumbling on her first night with a man, her exquisite verbal fluency and ability to hold her own in a male-dominated world that really captured my attention.This is a beautiful historical romance/drama with quality in every aspect - the music, the costuming, the sets, the cinematography. The acting is first rate across the board. Everyone turns in an outstanding performance. The fact that the movie is based on historical fact is simply a bonus. I think every woman longs to be Veronica Franco at some point.

Like most people, I too have top 5,10,20 movie lists and in all cases, the movies which made my lists I had the pleasure of seeing when they originally debuted. This cannot be said for Dangerous Beauty which I only discovered 13 years later. I watched it after seeing Braveheart again and being captivated by the character played by Catherine McCormack. In fact I seeked out other titles that included her presence and I am so happy I did.Dangerous Beauty is a wonderful love story that is told with such incredible passion. I know the film is taken from true characters and much of the story is as well from history. I doubt however that the true accounts could come close to the romantic story that is unveiled here. Catherine McCormack and Rufus Sewell were magic together and no matter the subject matter or the kind of life that Veronica Franco was dealt, their love remained true and intense throughout the film.Even now, several days after seeing it, I continue being haunted by the two soulmates and especially cannot forget the last 15 minutes when both characters profess their love to each other and the world while on trial.Anyone who is a romantic at heart would love this movie. Like me, it will bring tears to your eyes and make you smile for days later.

In 1583, Venice is the richest and most decadent city in Europe and its women are treated like property and few even knew how to read. The youth and witty Veronica Franco (Catherine McCormack) and the wealthy Marco Venier (Rufus Sewell), who is the brother of her best friend Beatrice (Moira Kelly), are in love for each other, but her mother can not afford the dowry for their marriage. When Marco tells Veronica that they can not marry to each other because he should have a marriage of state and his parents would oppose due to their social differences, Veronica's mother Paola Franco (Jacqueline Bisset) tells her heartbroken daughter that she was a courtesan in the past, and now Veronica shall learn how to be a courtesan to support the family. The poetess Veronica becomes the most famous courtesan in Venice, loved by the powerful elite except Marcos. When the Turks threaten Cyprus, Veronica spends the night with King Henry (Jake Weber) and he gives the necessary ships to protect Cyprus. When the Inquisition comes to Venice, she is accused of witchcraft by the Church."Dangerous Beauty" is one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever seen, and based on a true story. Catherine McCormack is extremely gorgeous and this is probably her best role along her career, with a stunning performance. This movie is quite perfect, with a wonderful story, excellent screenplay, magnificent direction, witty dialogs, a fantastic cast and awesome cinematography, set decoration and costumes in the environment of Venice in the Sixteenth Century. It is impressive how this movie excited me with the most different emotions and I have just included it in my list of favorites. My vote is ten.Title (Brazil): "Em Luta Pelo Amor" ("In Fight for Love")

I'll confess(no pun to those who've already sen the movie)that my knowledge on the subject matter that this movie culls from,particularly the novel by MArgaret Rosenthal,is somewhat slight. I saw this movie first over ten years ago in the theater powered almost entirely on the fact that it starred Catherine McCormack, an actress whom I'd become mildly curious and fascinated (maybe even enamored) with from her short but affecting role as Mel Gibson's ill-fated wife in "Braveheart". I decided to buy a cheap copy of the film years later and just recently re-watched the film,not only to see her again but also give this movie's whole structure a chance to impress upon me again. Re-watching had me re-appraising this film.McCormack's Veronica Franco,a 16th Century learned Courtesan is a vision as a transformation from shy,lovestruck Venetian local to bright,gifted and dutiful servicer to men's desires. Her relationship with the dashing,noble soldier-senator Marco(Rufus Sewell),may lack in anything unique but makes up for in zesty,passionate interplay. The rise and fall of Veronica is almost exactly parallel to the fortunes of her native Venice,and when plague befalls the province,the ire and holy wrath of inquisition makes her an easy target. This film is lushly,lavishly filmed and,as such,is a veritable feast for the eyes. However(and perhaps I'm telling too much about my own film prejudices and cynicism but...)the conflict of love over expediency,the message of women's place in society and the largely dark shadow that the Roman Catholic church fells upon society seem so commonplace that it makes this film seem almost pedantic and preachy. Also,the friction between Franco and Maffio Venier(Oliver Platt,who is as professional and game as ever here),Marco's cousin and resident courtier,seems somewhat forced,while the conflict between Veronica and MArco's frigid and callow wife(NAomi Watts,nearly unrecognizable!)is left woefully underdeveloped and one-note. Ditto for the friendship between the title character and her warm but non-enterprising friend Beatrice(Moira Kelly).Overall,the story and product looks and feels great,it just feels like much of the detail and credibility is sacrificed to create a movie that wants to be both inspiring AND erotic,and just able to pull that off. Director Marshall Hershkowitz does a decent job capturing all the sights and sounds to give it the rich emotional as well as visual feel for the era. McCormack's presence(and to a lesser degree Sewell's,Pratt's and Fred Ward's as the Venier's Uncle who takes a great deal of liking to VEronica)elevates this from a mere pedestrian "bodice-ripper" to something that has emotion and sensuality. This film further re-enforces my enjoyment of her presence in movies and my wish to see Miss McCormack in more films.A good film that wanted to be great. HAving said all that,I still find this worthy of another look(or looks).