Movies - Dangerous Beauty

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	Movies - Dangerous Beauty

Dangerous Beauty (1998) is a biographical drama film directed by Marshall Herskovitz. It is adapted from the book, The Honest Courtesan, by Margaret Rosenthal. The movie is based on the life of Veronica Franco, a courtesan in 16th century Venice. Veronica's lover Marco is discouraged by his family from marrying Veronica because her family is of humble means. Thus, he goes on to marry another woman of his status. Veronica and her mother must think of the future and find financial security, and Veronica's mother lays out the options. One of the few options that Veronica has in her time is to go to a convent, where she would be safe and protected, but its not a life that fits her personality. So, Veronica's mother suggests that she tries to be a courtesan like she once used to be, as well as Veronica's grandmother. Since Veronica admires courtesans, she agrees and her mother prepares her for that world.

Once she is a courtesan Veronica has new freedoms that she never had before. She is allowed to educate herself since many women weren't allowed to be educated. She enters a luxurious lifestyle where she and other courtesans are allowed but not the wives of the noble men. She is able to socialize with kings, royalty, and able to influence them politically. In this world, she again meets Marco and they have an affair during his marriage. Although Marco attempts to know his wife, he much rather prefers Veronica over her. In this way the film is biased towards Veronica. But the life of a courtesan is a dangerous one, a courtesan could end up on the streets if she's not careful or encounters a jealous and spurned lover.

Veronica finds herself in danger and attacked by the church for witchcraft simply because she's a courtesan. She is dragged to court and Marco attempts to defend her. In the end she is acquitted of her crimes and she and Marco are allowed to be together. The film most likely would appeal to period film fans, and in the end it was a box office disappointment making about $4 million dollars, respectively.

Cast

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