SummaryQuills boldly enters the debate surrounding the Marquis De Sade by imagining his final days as a blistering black comedy thriller, a battle between lust and love - and between the brutality of censorship and the unpredictable consequences of free expression. (Fox Searchlight)
Directed By:Philip Kaufman
Written By:Doug Wright
Quills
Metascore
Generally Favorable
70
User score
Generally Favorable
7.2
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
77% Positive
24 Reviews
24 Reviews
13% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
10% Negative
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
100
Kaufman's startling Quills gives us an anatomy of fear, images both silken swift and molten hot, scenes that disrupt and inflame the imagination.
88
Finds a tone that remains more entertaining than depressing, more absorbing than alarming.
User score
Generally Favorable
77% Positive
27 Ratings
27 Ratings
20% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
3% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Apr 6, 2012
8
This movie is delightful! ...not quite sure what Todd (below) means by referring to Tom Cruise for he is not there. This movie is engaging, touching, humorous, and clever. The Art direction is fantastic; the performances outstanding, the ambience feels real! Each time I watch it I enjoy it as I did the first time. It is not a 10, not even a 9 -not to me- but Less than an 8? I don't think so! If you haven't watch it, and you can find it, do see **** will have the last word.
May 5, 2013
7
A pretty well made film with some excellent performances, particularly from Geoffrey Rush and Kate Winslet. It did, however, seem incomplete; there were a couple of threads that didn’t seem to tie up. I was interested in the story of the doctor’s wife and also the wife of the Marquis. Both of these characters came and went without any reference to them again; I found that a little odd. I have never read any of the works of the Marquis de Sade, but having seen this I’m tempted to take a look and see if it’s really as depraved as they say. As for the film, definitely worth a look although I did find it a tad drawn out and a tad too long. SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED My score: 7.1/10
80
What the film does have is coruscating anger, impish wit, and a breathtaking style.
75
The things you can look forward to, however, are the humor, intellectual musing, emotional tumult, superb acting and challenging adult questions.
70
Rush is too sinfully good for the drama he's in.
60
Censorship, madness, social rebellion and the power of art.
20
Soon becomes a sadistic experience in its own right. Experiencing this pretentious wallow -- overwritten, under-thought and overdone -- is a very sophisticated form of torture.
Nov 30, 2016
6
Historical prison drama. The Marquis de Sade writes sexy stories in an asylum. He is forced to be ever more resourceful as his jailers including Michael Caine try to stop him. An interesting tale of a man's frustration and of his depravity and that of others.
Production Company:
- Fox Searchlight Pictures
- Industry Entertainment
- Walrus & Associates
- Hollywood Partners
- Charenton Productions
Release Date:Nov 22, 2000
Duration:2 h 4 m
Rating:R
Tagline:There are no bad words... only bad deeds.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 3 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 2 Nominations
Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards
• 2 Wins & 8 Nominations
