Now and again, I go through these obsession about things. You know what I'm talking about. NSYNC. Evanescence. Johnny Rzeznik. About four months ago, I started really getting into the historical periods of the 16th and 17th century. Listening to the tales of Henry VIII and his children (namely Mary and Elizabeth), made me giggle like a school girl and wish that I was alive during this period of time.

I don't know exactly what about that period fascinates me - maybe it's the struggle of women, maybe it's the fashion, maybe I'm in awe of how religion made people kill each other (a foreign concept for me), maybe it's how poetry was used as foreplay - I'm sure it's all of that and more. One thing is for sure. I can't get enough of this stuff.

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon this movie, Dangerous Beauty. Set in the late 1500's, the movie is about a young woman, Veronica Franco (Catherine McCormack) who falls in love with a man, Marco Venier (Rufus Sewell). Although the two are passionately in love, they will never be able to marry because Marco is meant to marry someone within his station. Veronica is just a lowly girl with a next to nothing dowry.

Devastated by the realization that she has found "the one" but will be unable to marry the man she loves, her mother, Paola (Jacqueline Bisset) talks her into becoming a courtesan. You see, Venice needs courtesans - women who are equal/superior in intelligence to men - who can also seduce them with one look.

At first she resists but then after considering her options, she decides to go along with this career path.

Men are taken with Veronica. She is witty, intelligent, and passionate about life and love. Women resent her and Christians are appalled by her whorish ways. The volatile environment of the time period in which she lives in, totally changes the landscape of her fortune. The question is, is she strong enough to survive? Does she ever get Marco? Does she live happily ever after?

sigh

Now, for those of you who are history buffs, you might know that Veronica Franco was a real person and that this movie is based upon a book written about her by Margaret Rosenthal. Let me tell you though, the movie takes many liberties with her life and it excludes the things like the fact that she was married by the age of 18 and that she had three surviving children - all by different fathers.

Although the movie diverts in this direction, I'm only slightly bothered by the embellishments of truth. Of course other movies have taken the same path (namely, Elizabeth) and I'm sure the reason is that it makes for better drama. Although hey - a marriage and children certainly seem drama-like to me :).

So why am I in love with this movie? Multiple reasons.

First, Catherine McCormack who I adored in Land Girls, has eyes that say it all. It conveys passion, innocence, pain, regret - everything that a girl feels...and then some. She started out in the role as innocent and pure as one would expect and her transition to a heathen woman was fascinating to watch. Her chemistry with Rufus Sewell sizzled and I found myself getting all warm and moist whenever these two had scenes together. It's not that Rufus is any major hunka hunka burnin' love on his own - but with Catherine - he was an object of desire.

Second, Marshall Herskovitz, who directed Dangerous Beauty, knows how to integrate the details of a period piece with the construction of a character-driven movie. Gawd bless him. I almost forgive him for The Last Samuri.

Third, besides the two main actors, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Oliver Platt, Moira Kelly, and Naomi Watts. All were integral to the overall story although Oliver is the only one that had significant airtime.

Fourth, the costumes and architecture was gorgeous. Just gorgeous. Perusing illustrations from that period of time, it looks like the designers and cinematographer/set decorator did their homework.

Fifth, the musical score is rich with romance, power, and flirty playfulness. George Fenton, who has a bazillion scores under his belt, creates classic sounding arrangements that rely heavily on the "three" - strings, woodwinds, and brass.

So there.

Dangerous Beauty is rated R for some scenes of strong sexuality, nudity, and language. Highly recommended to all of those of you obsessed with the Tudor time period. All two of ya :).


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age