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Critics Consensus: Though hard to watch, this film's disturbing exploration of freedom of expression is both seductive and thought-provoking.
Critic Consensus: Though hard to watch, this film's disturbing exploration of freedom of expression is both seductive and thought-provoking.
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.
Kaufman's biopic of the notorious Marquis de Sade is sharply uneven, serious, poignant, trashy, sleazy and sensationslist, marred by over-the-top turn from Geoffrey Rush.
a conceptual piece about the nature of creativity and questions of art
While it is horrible and sordid, it's also witty, fast-paced and intriguing as it explores freedom of expression.
You'll swear you can hear a throaty cackle of approval from the hereafter.
Kaufman and writer Doug Wright (adapting his own play) infuse the film with a decadent playfulness befitting a film about the Marquis.
É uma pena que o Oscar, ao contrário de outras premiações, não possua uma categoria de 'Melhor Elenco'.
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.
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.
I am not one for egregious sex. When semi graphic sex/ nudity or innuendo is used in a film, I wonder if it has real value or if it's more sexy or shock and awe. However, there wasn't a moment in this film that made me think that. And I actually laughed (during the play of course). Visually beautiful, witty and inventive. Not to mention jam packed with hypocrisy. Love it. Completely gorgeous performances by every principle. As expected really.
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