Dangerous Beauty – 1998 | 115 mins | Drama | Colour
Plot Synopsis
Based on a true story and adapted from a novel The Honest Courtesan by Margaret Rosenthal, this superb period romp/drama is set in 16th century Venice and stars the very beautiful Catherine McCormack as a penniless noblewoman who becomes a courtesan in order to be with the man she loves played by the superb Rufus Sewell. Dangerous Beauty (aka The Honest Courtesan) is a truly wonderful film better, in my view, in every way than the ‘other’ period film Shakespeare in Love. Much more convincingly played, atmospheric, witty, eloquent, passionate and deeply moving with a memorable soundtrack from George Fenton. Brilliantly filmed this is truly riveting entertainment. I cannot remember a film I have enjoyed so much – it has renewed my faith in the cinema.
©Review by Hugh Peacock.
Production Team
Marshall Herskovitz: Director
Gianni Giovagnoni: Art Direction
Stefania Cella: Art Direction
Debra Petro: Associate Producer
Kuki López Rodero: Asst Director
Bojan Bazelli: Cinematography
Paolo Lucidi: Co Producer
Gabriella Pescucci: Costume Designer
Steven Rosenblum: Editing
Arthur Coburn: Editing
Stephen Randall: Executive Producer
Fabrizio Sforza: Make-Up
Federico Laurenti: Make-Up
George Fenton: Music
Sarah Caplan: Producer
Marshall Herskovitz: Producer
Arnon Milchan: Producer
Edward Zwick: Producer
Norman Garwood: Production Designer
Jeannine Dominy: Script
David Stephenson: Sound
Cast
Catherine McCormack: Veronica Franco
Rufus Sewell: Marco Venier
Jacqueline Bisset: Paola Franco
Oliver Platt: Maffio Venier
Moira Kelly: Beatrice Venier
Fred Ward: Domenico Venier
Naomi Watts: Guila De Lezze