Dangerous Beauty is supposedly based on real-life Venetian courtesan Veronica Franco, and to its credit, the person existed, her educational background is true, and her being charged in front of the Inquisition for witchcraft after an epidemic has really been documented. It’s a perfect idea for a feminist feature promoting education for women, and highlighting the double standards with pleasure and sexuality, so on that note, it presents an okay case. Sadly, this was made during the time when Hollywood was not able to conceive of a film about a woman without having to center it on her pursuit of love, even though reportedly, she chose to become a courtesan to avoid marriage altogether. Because of this, Dangerous Beauty isn’t as dangerous as it could have been, leading to a fairly mundane historical drama undercut by its romance. And it doesn’t even highlight her writing!
Veronica is brilliant, gifted and beautiful, but the handsome aristocrat she loves, Marco Venier, cannot marry her because she is penniless and of questionable family. So Veronica's mother, Paola, teaches her to become a courtesan, one of the exotic companions favored by the richest and most powerful Venetian men. Veronica courageously uses her charms to change destiny -- and to give herself a chance at true love.
Due to her lower status, Veronica Franco is unable to marry the aristocrat she loves, Marco Venier. Because of this, she takes on her mother’s profession as a courtesan, garnering status from her wealthy Venetian clientele and unexpectedly shifting the fate of the city.
Production design is GORGEOUS, though.
Wait, is the confession scene the scene that inspired Sex Education’s “that’s my vagina” scene?
