Critic's Review of Dangerous Beauty
"I Am
Standing" ***
Stacy Clark, MA
"I am standing." gets my
vote for Most Moving Short Sentence in Film.
Loosely based on the true story of
Veronica Franco (1546-1591), Dangerous Beauty is the
luscious and moving Romeo & Juliet tale of a woman torn
by the demands of her culture and the desires of her
spirit - and of her flesh. Rather than be destroyed or
distraught, Veronica seizes the opportunity to flourish
within the social sexual paradigm of the times guided by
her mother, who is played by Jacqueline Bisset. The
stars of this timeless film are Catherine McCormack and
Rufus Sewell, whose extensive film credits are listed on
www.imdb.com with photos.
Hopelessly in love with Marco
Venier, a man born considerably above her station, and
destined to be a senator, Veronica chooses from her
strengths and becomes a courtesan. Courtesans are the
only women of her time educated and allowed to read.
Certainly known for their sexual favors, courtesans were
required to be as elegant and intelligent as the men
they serviced. Veronica studies to become the most
famous courtesan in all of Venice.
When her country goes to war,
Veronica serves again, consulted not only by the men,
but by their wives who barely swallow their pride enough
to seek Veronica's counsel and news. Pride isn't all
that gets swallowed! Veronica demonstrates her
intelligence, wit and sexuality in one languorous
motion. I refuse to spoil this scene with any further
detail.
In a contest of rapier wit between
Veronica, the poet, and Marco's cousin, Maffio Venier,
also a court poet, Veronica gets the upper hand making a
fool of Maffio. The Christian church conveniently
interprets the Black Plague as God's judgment and
further indicts Veronica for her sensuality, and for the
choices she makes. This provides Marco's cousin an
opportunity for revenge against the beautiful poet who
spurned him and made a fool of him so publicly. He
accuses her of witchcraft, specifically, of bewitching
the men of Venice.
Over and over you see the
juxtaposition of sexuality and intelligence, tradition
and rebellion, justice and injustice culminating in a
dramatic courtroom scene that will play over and over in
your mind after the screen has gone blank. You will not
be disappointed. You, too, will be standing.
Rent
Dangerous Beauty. This is one to see in bed with a
lover!
***
Note: All puns in this review are intentional.
Resources:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118892/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica_Franco
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