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dangermousieI ended up watching one of my favorite rewatch flicks, Dangerous Beauty, yesterday. It is not the masterpiece of world cinema and savior of world culture, but it's a clever, fun movie I can watch ad nauseam. It's a chick flick for bluestockings, romance for geeks. And it was also well reviewed, so I am not the only one who loves it :P
I still remember going to see it in the little art house theater during college and having tremendous fun. Anyone else know about it?
The movie deals with a 16th century Venetian courtesan and poetess Veronica Franco (apparently a real person, though I don't think the movie is in any way a biography). As the movie starts, she is an intelligent but somewhat unworldly girl who is in love with Marco Venier, a Venetian aristocrat. Of course, since Veronica's family isn't equal to his own, there is no way Marco, from one of the best families in Venice, can marry her. And while Marco is smitten with Veronica, he is not smitten enough to forget that. Being a decent guy, he tells her he can't marry her before things go too far. Cue heartbreak and her mother pointing out that because of Veronica's lack of dowry her two options are to be either a nun or a courtesan. Veronica isn't thrilled with either option but prefers the latter because she is seduced by the thought of intellectual freedom. Soon she becomes one of the most sought-after courtesans in Venice, door open to anyone important and rich enough. Anyone, that is, except Marco Venier. Does she still love him? Does he still love her? What do you think?
This movie is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. It has Venetian canals and high wooden heels. It has poetry contests and peacocks. It has the Inquisition and the Plague, as well as angst, jealousy, and some gorgeous sex scenes. It's also clever, and witty, and passionate and guuuuuh-worthy.
I adore this movie. It's beautiful to look at, not too glaringly anachronistic, and swoonily romantic. It also doesn't shy from showing the dark side of Veronica's profession, either. The climax is a bit over the top, but what movie is perfect?
This used to be my computer wallpaper a long long time ago. Veronica and Marco:
Slightly less clothed:
Pissed-off Veronica:
Pissed-off Marco:
Veronica and her Mum:
Veronica and Marco enjoying the art of conversation (or the sight of Veronica's fine cleavage):
Having a good time:
Ogle, ogle:
Various Venier family members:
I still remember going to see it in the little art house theater during college and having tremendous fun. Anyone else know about it?
The movie deals with a 16th century Venetian courtesan and poetess Veronica Franco (apparently a real person, though I don't think the movie is in any way a biography). As the movie starts, she is an intelligent but somewhat unworldly girl who is in love with Marco Venier, a Venetian aristocrat. Of course, since Veronica's family isn't equal to his own, there is no way Marco, from one of the best families in Venice, can marry her. And while Marco is smitten with Veronica, he is not smitten enough to forget that. Being a decent guy, he tells her he can't marry her before things go too far. Cue heartbreak and her mother pointing out that because of Veronica's lack of dowry her two options are to be either a nun or a courtesan. Veronica isn't thrilled with either option but prefers the latter because she is seduced by the thought of intellectual freedom. Soon she becomes one of the most sought-after courtesans in Venice, door open to anyone important and rich enough. Anyone, that is, except Marco Venier. Does she still love him? Does he still love her? What do you think?
This movie is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. It has Venetian canals and high wooden heels. It has poetry contests and peacocks. It has the Inquisition and the Plague, as well as angst, jealousy, and some gorgeous sex scenes. It's also clever, and witty, and passionate and guuuuuh-worthy.
I adore this movie. It's beautiful to look at, not too glaringly anachronistic, and swoonily romantic. It also doesn't shy from showing the dark side of Veronica's profession, either. The climax is a bit over the top, but what movie is perfect?
This used to be my computer wallpaper a long long time ago. Veronica and Marco:
Slightly less clothed:
Pissed-off Veronica:
Pissed-off Marco:
Veronica and her Mum:
Veronica and Marco enjoying the art of conversation (or the sight of Veronica's fine cleavage):
Having a good time:
Ogle, ogle:
Various Venier family members:
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no subject
Date: 2005-11-30 11:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-30 11:21 pm (UTC)The actor playing Marco is Rufus Sewell, a British actor who was also in Middlemarch and Dark City (one of my favorite movies).
Thanks!
Date: 2005-11-30 11:49 pm (UTC)IIRC, she didn't last too long in Braveheart!
Re: Thanks!
Date: 2005-11-30 11:52 pm (UTC)She was also in Spy Game as Brad Pitt's love interest/radical.
no subject
Date: 2005-11-30 11:42 pm (UTC)After I watched it I did do some Googling to look up details about Veronica Franco - there are an awful lot of books on Amazon about her although Catherine McCormick was much prettier than the real Veronica.
I, too adore Rufus Sewell but he seems to get a lot of baddie roles which means he often dies.
no subject
Date: 2005-11-30 11:47 pm (UTC)Heh. Though I have yet to figure out why they named it "Dangerous Beauty" either, other than an attention grabber.
Catherine McCormick was much prettier than the real Veronica
Though possibly not in the eyes of 16th century Venetians :P
adore Rufus Sewell but he seems to get a lot of baddie roles which means he often dies.
Mmmmmm, Rufus Sewell. Yum. I've had a thing for him ever since I saw Middlemarch. But yeah, he is British ergo he plays a lot of villains. The latest was an evil Frenchman (!!) in the atrocious Zorro sequel. Which is a pity, because whenever he plays non-villains he does it so well. (Mmmm, Dark City, which is in my Top 10 scifi movies ever). He's in the upcoming Tristan and Isolde as Lord Mark. Hey, at least he won't die this time, unless they really tampered with the legend.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-01 01:15 am (UTC)Who is that actor that plays Marco Venier? I could swear I've seen the "ogle" picture before.
I don't know if you've read it, but I just read this sort of Logan/Veronica fic that was excellent.
Vignettes from the night kitchen
no subject
Date: 2005-12-01 02:45 am (UTC)He was in Middlemarch, Dark City, Knight's Tale, Cold Comfort Farm, Hamlet and a bunch of other movies.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-01 02:43 am (UTC)My favorite scene is when her mother is trying to teach her how to eat seductively and she just shoves things in her mouth.
I also enjoy her verbal duel's with Marco's snivelling cousin.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-01 03:03 am (UTC)And yeah, the verbal duel is hilarious.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-02 09:13 pm (UTC)I went with my guy friend to see Wild Things (of all movies LOL) and it was sold out. Then we saw Dangerous Beauty was playing. That's the only reason I saw it! I didn't even really know what it was about. I think I had seen one trailer, but that's it. I'm so glad we saw it! It's one of my favorite "guilty pleasures" kind of movie. Just gorgeous and decadent!
no subject
Date: 2005-12-02 09:19 pm (UTC)Yes, I wanted to see DB because I am a sucker for period movies and I fell totally head over heels.