they would be able to fight you until death; and to prove that I speak the truth, amongst so many women, I will be the first to act, setting an example for them to follow." —Veronica Franco

These words were written by 16th century poet and philanthropist Veronica Franco. Armed with a rapier wit and irresistible charm, she was also a cortigiana onesta, or 'honest,' upper-class courtesan, who beguiled the most powerful men in Venice. Word is she even had a fling with Henry III, who traveled all the way to Italy just to see her (she was that good). Dangerous Beauty is the true story of the her life during the plague, and later the Inquisition.

Early on, Veronica learned there were only two paths for women in renaissance Venetian society. With her meager dowry, she could either marry a poor man and submit to a life of obedience and modesty, or become a courtesan and receive a proper education, affluence and independence. Franco chose the latter, probably because married women had to wear horrid black high-neck dresses year-round and were not allowed to learn how to read.

Dangerous Beauty stars Catherine McCormack (Braveheart, 28 Weeks Later) as Franco, and Oliver Platt (2012, Year One) as her nemesis, Maffio Venier. Some of this film's best scenes show Franco and Venier in heated poetic arguments, not unlike a modern-day rap battles, with Franco repeatedly one-upping her competitor with her linguistic gymnastics. Later, when the Inquisition leads to Veronica's arrest for suspicion of witchcraft, she gives a masterful courtroom performance that even Erin Brokovich would find inspiring (with just as much cleavage).

Badass moment: During a battle of words, Veronica unabashedly declares, “I confess I *fuck* divinely those who love... and well opine me.”