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Quills is a film about the famous (or is it infamous) Marquis de Sade, author of what some would call pornographic material circa the French Revolution. Though there is some historical accuracy, Quills is historical fiction based on the play by Doug Wright, who also penned the screenplay. Philip Kaufman directs this drama superbly through all the sick, twisted and sometimes perverse portions of this picture. Geoffrey Rush (Shakespeare in Love) stars as the lead, the Marquis de Sade. Rush puts in a wonderful performance as the vile and often crude political prisoner who is written off as insane and banished to the Cheratan Insane Asylum. Kate Winslet (Titanic) plays Madeleine, a housekeeper at the asylum that the Marquis is imprisoned in. She is also the lust of many a man there. The film begins not at the asylum but in Paris where the Marquis' latest book is quite popular with the common folk (or third estate). However the book is not quite as popular with the elite, including the Emperor Napoleon. This is because the Marquis pokes fun at various rulers in his work, especially the clergy. Napoleon just wants the Marquis executed, but is prevented from doing so by the memory of the Robespierre incident. So instead of execution, the Powers That Be send Dr. Royer-Collard (Michael Caine, The Cider House Rules) to supervise the asylum and its leader, Father Coulmier (Joaquin Phoenix, Gladiator). The main goal of the doctor is to prevent the Marquis from publishing more books. To strike back at Dr. Royer-Collard, the Marquis writes a play to be performed by the rest of the members of Club de Asylum that tells of the sexual endeavors of the doctor and his young virgin wife Simone (Amelia Warner), an orphan that he purchased. As you might imagine, this pissed off the doc, so he had all writing utensils and supplies removed from the Marquis' cell. But the Marquis just found more and more ingenious ways to write. Of course this isn't the only story line. You also have the Marquis lusting after Madeleine, Father Coulmier falling for her as well, Madeleine lusting after the father, and Simone lusting after a young architect. Plus the Marquis is attempting to convert all to his sexual ways. So as you may deduct, Quills deals with a lot of sex and lust, but it also deals with the censorship of the Marquis. The key point with the censorship is the reason behind that censorship, mainly why ban the literature, which is related to who wants it banned? By the end of the film you know why the elite want it banned. Also pay attention to the foreshadowing. Others in the cast for the film are Billie Whiteclaw, Jane Menelaus, Tony Pritchard, Michael Jenn, George Yiasoumi, Patrick Malahide, and Elizabeth Berrington to name a few. I enjoyed this film and the acting of Rush. Caine did well as the equally sadistic psychiatrist. Kaufman did a fine job balancing the various story lines. My only complaint would be that a few scenes might have been a little too graphic. In the end I give Quills nine couches for the About-Movies.com rating. Till next time. Last updated: Thursday, March 20, 2008 02:49:18 AM |