Dangerous beauty: film analysis and thematic interpretation

¶ … Dangerous Beauty

Although one might initially be inclined to consider that Marshall Herskovitz's 1998 motion picture "Dangerous Beauty" is meant to appeal to soap-opera fans in need of yet another happy-ending story, the film actually concentrates on more complex feelings related to class division, social limitations, and the general views of the Venetian community during the sixteenth century. Typical for the time period, Venetians put across an air of hypocrisy in regard to immoral activities and are apparently ignore ethics in situations that require decision-making. Veronica and Marco seem to be the only two individuals who realize that there is actually more to life than acting in accordance with unfair customs.

From the very first scenes of the film one understands Veronica's understands her mother's logics as she decides to exploit her only fortune -- her beauty. The Venetian scenery provides viewers with a sensual feeling regarding love, passion, and beauty, making the action in the film even more intense. However, instead of resembling Marco and Veronica when concerning their love for arts, most Venetians appear to be illiterate and narrow-minded. Veronica is much more than just a prostitute, as she provides her customers with philosophical concepts and generally proves to be a capable intellectual companion for them.

It was customary for women to employ an inferior attitude in their relationship with men in the sixteenth century. Concepts such as authority and independence were not present in the lives of conservative women in sixteenth century's Venice. The masses actually supported this form of discrimination through preventing women from being able to take on positions that granted them with opportunities that were also available to men. The fact that Venetians condemn Veronica and believe that her intellect is evidence regarding her being a witch further contributes to the idea that Venetians harshly discriminated women during the era. It appears that the masses were unable to acknowledge the full extent of their freedoms and preferred to stick to traditionalism instead. By doing this, they obliged themselves and those around them to act in agreement with absurd laws that were presumably meant to have them seem like model citizens.