Quills (2000)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Though hard to watch, this film's disturbing exploration of freedom of expression is both seductive and thought-provoking.
Quills Photos
Movie Info
Watch it now
People Who Like this movie also like
Cast
as The Marquis de Sade
as Madeleine
as Abbe Coulmier
as Dr. Royer-Collard
as Madame LeClerc
as Delbene
as Simone
as Renee Pelagie
as Valcour
as Prouix
as Cleante
as Pitou
as Dauphin
as Bouchon
as Charlotte
as Franval
as Orvolle
as Madame Bougival
as Mademoiselle Clairwil
as Michette
as Louison
as Guerin
as Gaillon
as Mademoiselle Renard
as Sister Noirceuil
as The Horseman
as Fop
as Napoleon
as Pawnbroker
as Sister Flavie
as First Vendor
as Second Vendor
as Prostitute
as Lunatic Band Member
as Lunatic at Play
News & Interviews for Quills
Critic Reviews for Quills
All Critics (126) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (95) | Rotten (31) | DVD (8)
A literate, playfully provocative defense of free speech at its most abominable, Philip Kaufman and Doug Wright's movie impudently positions the Marquis de Sade as the twisted spokesman for the creative spirit.
"Quills" is sensational in every sense of the word.
It pokes at sexual taboos - it's pretty subversive, considering - but sexuality and creativity are indelibly linked, and its true subject is expression, repression and catharsis.
Quills, about the marquis de Sade, is a voluptuous impasto. Everything in it -- the colors, the locations, the people -- seems swirled with a mixture of decadence and grace.
More heavy-handed than memorable.
A marvelous, saucy romp.
Audience Reviews for Quills
My love for this film runs very deep indeed. As a fan of the Marquis de Sade and everything spawned after his name, as well as an advocate for the the uncensored underbelly of the literary greats, this film possessed everything someone such as myself could hope for. Moments of genuine hilarity blunted by the brutish historical truth, every single character in this film has a role to play and plays it magnificently. Rush is a superbly talented actor who never fails to keep my eyes on the screen and even Phoenix is acceptable as a preist with a naughty streak. A truly magnificent film.
Super Reviewer
With a brilliant cast I did expect more from this. I'm unsure if she was going for a some sort of style, but Winslet looked like she couldn't act. Maybe that was just her character. Rush did a fantastic job as usual. I would have liked a better explanation to the beginning part. It seemed out of place compared to the rest of the film.
Super Reviewer
An adaptation of the play based on a chapter of the life of the infamous Marquis De Sade whose lascivious writings scandalized post revolutionary France. Set within the walls of a church-run lunatic asylum where the Marquis was incarcerated to avoid the ignominy of prison, he is shown as a rebel using his literature to infuriate the religious establishment. Geoffrey Rush clearly relished the role and is ably supported by Joaquin Phoenix as the asylum's governor, a good man trapped within the framework of an intolerant heirarchy and Kate Winslett as the common serving girl who helps the Marquis distribute his works. Michael Caine is a little less convincing, probably because of his casting against type as the cruel, sadistic tyrant who is dispatched to "cure" him. It has shades of both Amadeus and The Madness Of King George, although the characterisation and drama of those films is not quite matched here, but it's an interesting and well made historical drama that's worth seeing for Rush's performance alone.
Super Reviewer
Quills Quotes
| Marquis de Sade: | It's a powerful aphrodisiac, isn't it? Having power over another man. |
| Marquis de Sade: | I've been to hell, young man. You've only read about it. |