It's later-half sixteen century Venice. Most women are illiterate and treated as property. There are limited opportunities for lower status women except for the courtesans who are the stars of society. Senator's son Marco Venier (Rufus Sewell) returns to the city and falls for childhood friend Veronica Franco (Catherine McCormack). She is young and innocent. They become lovers but Marco has to get into a political marriage. Veronica is heart-broken and wants to enter a convent. Her mother (Jacqueline Bisset) reveals that she was a former courtesan and offers to train her. Veronica becomes highly sought after in high society including Marco but also enemies like Marco's cousin Maffio Venier (Oliver Platt). There is war against the Ottoman, political intrigue with France, and the darkness of the Inquisition.

This is a compelling story of sex and power from the woman's point of view. It's romantic and a feminist journey. Catherine McCormack is a little old to play the ingenue but she fits the bill with beauty and determination. Jacqueline Bisset is perfect for her role. The intrigue and romance all work painting a compelling picture of a historical moment and place.

In 1583, Venice is the richest and most decadent city in Europe and its women are treated like property and few even knew how to read. The youth and witty Veronica Franco (Catherine McCormack) and the wealthy Marco Venier (Rufus Sewell),who is the brother of her best friend Beatrice (Moira Kelly),are in love for each other, but her mother can not afford the dowry for their marriage. When Marco tells Veronica that they can not marry to each other because he should have a marriage of state and his parents would oppose due to their social differences, Veronica's mother Paola Franco (Jacqueline Bisset) tells her heartbroken daughter that she was a courtesan in the past, and now Veronica shall learn how to be a courtesan to support the family. The poetess Veronica becomes the most famous courtesan in Venice, loved by the powerful elite except Marcos. When the Turks threaten Cyprus, Veronica spends the night with King Henry (Jake Weber) and he gives the necessary ships to protect Cyprus. When the Inquisition comes to Venice, she is accused of witchcraft by the Church.

"Dangerous Beauty" is one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever seen, and based on a true story. Catherine McCormack is extremely gorgeous and this is probably her best role along her career, with a stunning performance. This movie is quite perfect, with a wonderful story, excellent screenplay, magnificent direction, witty dialogs, a fantastic cast and awesome cinematography, set decoration and costumes in the environment of Venice in the Sixteenth Century. It is impressive how this movie excited me with the most different emotions and I have just included it in my list of favorites. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Em Luta Pelo Amor" ("In Fight for Love")

There was a time when women of not just a certain profession did not have an easy standing. But then again women still have a tough standing in general even in todays more open society for a multiple of reasons. Let's just say they had it even tougher back then.

The story and the movie is helped by the incredible cast. So many talented people in front of the camera ... and they had fun doing the movie as is apparent. There's some nudity in this, but this is not that type of movie and it should not cast a shadow on your viewing experience (for those who are easily offended that is, everyone else won't mind or just nod in acknowledgment of some of the actors having the courage to go that way for the story). Very intriguing and quite incredible story