Jacqueline Bisset is calm and tranquil as Veronica's mother, who was once a famous courtesan. Fred Ward shows real depth as Marco's uncle, who understands his nephew's longing for the seductive temptress. The actors, like the story, are helped immeasurably by the film's look. Visually, this is a gorgeous motion picture. Cinematographer Bojan Bazelli's camera loves the streets and canals of Venice, making the city as much a character as any of the people.
Filters only enhance the beauty.
As is the case with too many melodramas designed to give the audience a triumphant rush, Dangerous Beauty goes over the top in its closing moments, offering speech-making and grandstanding that undercuts some of the film's drama. Still, it's hard to argue that, contrived as it may be, there's something satisfying about the way things wrap up. Dangerous Beauty isn't great art, but it is good entertainment.